Is a man's 'awrah (private parts) what is between the navel and the knee, or what is below the navel to above the knee, and is it permissible to go into a mixed-gender sea wearing swim shorts (a 'short') that show the navel and a part of the area above the knee?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
A man's 'awrah (intimate parts that must be covered) is what is between the navel and the knee. The navel and the knee themselves are not part of the 'awrah. This is the view of Malik and Shafi'i. What is between the navel and the knee must be covered. It is not permissible to expose any part of the thigh or anything below the navel. If this occurs in a mixed-gender environment, then it is not permissible.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/21757
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 21757
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy