Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalaam alaikum

In this summer time many i have seen rushing to water games, Water falls, or beach side.Just for fun.Is it alright for Men to enjoy the coolness there without wearing anything over their chest or show the part of legs below thighs to other men.

Jazakkallah Khair

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Satr of men

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

The ‘satr’ or body parts that must remain absolutely covered in public for the believing man is from his navel to his knees inclusive. It is absolutely forbidden and indeed considered a sin in Islam if one does not cover ones minimum ‘satr’ from all except his spouse. It would be absolutely forbidden for a believing man, who sincerely fears Allah and the Last Day, to either expose his ‘satr’ or watch the exposed ‘satr’ of others.

The upper body of the men from their head to the beginning of their navel, and the lower body from below their knees to their feet do not constitute body parts which have to covered from others; thus if these body parts alone are exposed for any reason there is absolutely no harm and no sin. It is only the body parts between the navel and the knees inclusive of the believing men which form part of their ‘satr’ and they must strive to never leave them exposed to any other except their wives.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan