What is the ruling of Islamic law on a woman wearing semi-naked clothes – short, tight, and revealing of charms – in front of women and mahrams, taking into consideration the statement of some of them, "The awrah of a woman for another woman is from the navel to the knee"?
It is mentioned in the Hadith that among the people of Hellfire are "women who are clothed yet naked." Scholars have interpreted this to mean women who wear tight, thin, or short clothing. The attire of women during the time of the Prophet, peace be upon him, was that which covered from the palm of the hand to the ankle while inside the house, and to the forearm when going out. What has been confusing to some women regarding the Hadith: "A woman should not look at the awrah of another woman," which states that a woman's awrah to another woman is what is between the navel and the knee, does not mean that a woman's clothing should only cover this awrah. Rather, it is a prohibition for the gazer from seeing a woman's awrah when necessary, not that this should be the usual attire. So, clothing is one thing, and looking at the awrah is another. The prescribed clothing for a woman is that which covers from the palm of the hand to the ankle of the leg. However, when necessary, it is permissible to roll up the garment to the knee, and the sleeve to the upper arm. As for in front of mahrams (unmarriageable kin), it is permissible for a woman to uncover what she uncovers in front of women, such as the head, neck, feet, hands, forearms, and shins, but she should not make the clothing short.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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