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How accurate is the statement that a woman has two types of awrah (parts of the body that must be covered): a strict awrah (from the navel to the knee) which may not be uncovered except in cases of extreme necessity, and another awrah which includes the shins, abdomen, back, shoulders, and upper arms, which may not be uncovered except when needed? And is it true that what a woman is permitted to show in front of other women and her maharim (unmarriageable kin) are the places of adornment (the parts of the body washed during ablution)?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

A woman's 'awrah (intimate parts) differs according to whom she is appearing before. Her 'awrah in front of non-mahram men is her entire body, with a difference of opinion regarding the face and hands. In front of other women, it is the area between the navel and the knee. In front of her mahrams, it is what typically appears, such as the shins, forearms, head, and neck. It is permissible to look at what is necessary during medical treatment. Similarly, it is permissible for a witness, a suitor, and someone engaged in transactions like buying and selling, to look at a woman's face and hands out of necessity.

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

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