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Is it permissible to wear shorts above the knee in front of one's mother, sister, and her daughters?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

A Muslim must cover his 'awrah (private parts) from all people except his wife or what his right hand possesses (a female slave). A man's 'awrah in front of his maharim (unmarriageable kin) is what is between his navel and his knees. Abu Dawud and Al-Tirmidhi narrated from Bahz ibn Hakim, from his father, from his grandfather, that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Guard your 'awrah except from your wife or what your right hand possesses," and he said: "If you can make sure that no one sees it, then do so," and he said: "Allah is more deserving that one feels shyness from Him than from people." Malik also narrated in Al-Muwatta that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Cover your thigh, for the thigh is 'awrah." Therefore, a Muslim must cover what is between his navel and his knees.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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