Is it permissible to learn swimming in a European country where there are no swimming pools designated for women?
We have previously issued a fatwa regarding the ruling on women going to swimming pools. We advise the questioner to abandon the idea of learning to swim due to the difficulty of ensuring the controls mentioned in the aforementioned fatwa. A woman's staying in her home is better for her, and she has an excellent example in the wives of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Allah Almighty says: "And abide in your houses." It is well known what occurs in swimming pools—even if they are for women—in terms of exposure of 'awrah and lack of modesty. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "No woman should look at the 'awrah of another woman." Furthermore, learning to swim often requires removing clothes, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "No woman takes off her clothes outside her husband's house except that she tears the veil between her and Allah the Almighty." Your travel by sea is not a cause for fear of drowning, for if a person is destined to die by drowning, he will not be able to escape his fate, even if he is a swimmer. How many swimmers have drowned?
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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