Ruling on wearing shorts for swimming or otherwise Many people, especially those groups associated with the army, wear sports clothes that leave uncovered a small area under the navel and half of the thighs, or more on some occasions. This has become very widespread. Please give us your view on this important issue and explain the Shariah ruling on it. Covering one's ‘Awrah is obligatory according to a consensus of the Muslims. The woman's body is all ‘Awrah, and there is a consensus that the buttocks and private parts of a man are his ‘Awrah as well. But the correct scholarly opinion is that the ‘Awrah for man is everything between his knee and navel. This is based on what is reported from Sayyidna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Don't reveal your thigh, and don't look at somebody else's thigh, be they dead or alive.” (Abu Dawud No. 3,140 and Ibn Majah No. 146) It is reported that Muhammad Bin Jahsh said that once the Messenger of Allaah (pbuh) passed by Ma'mar, whose thighs were uncovered. The Prophet (pbuh) said: “O Ma'mar, cover your thighs, for the thighs are ‘Awrah.” (Ahmad 5/290, Mustadrak of Al-Hakim 4/180 No. 7,361 and Al-Bukhari No. 371) It is also reported from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “The thigh is ‘Awrah.” (At-Tirmidi No. 2797 and Ahmad 1/275) Recorded by At-Tirmizi and Ahmad with the wording: “Allah's Messenger (pbuh) passed by a man whose thigh was exposed so he said: “Cover your thigh, for a man's thigh is ‘Awrah.” (Ahmad 5/290 and Mustadrak of Al-Hakim No. 4/180 No. 7361) It was also reported from Jarhad Al-Aslami that he said: “Allah's Messenger (pbuh) passed by me while I was wearing a Burdah and my thigh was exposed. He (pbuh) said: “Cover your thighs, for the thigh is ‘Awrah.” (At-Tirmidi No. 2,798 and Ahmad No. 3/478) Recorded by Malik in Al-Muwatta, Ahmad, Abu Dawud, and At-Tirmizi, who said it was Hasan. These Ahadeeth strengthen each other, so that they are raised to the level of being valid proofs. (Permanent Committee for Research and Verdicts Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 7)
