Question:
Asalaamu alaykum,
I read that the awrah in front of non-Muslims are the same as for men I.e cover everything except for hands face and feet. Does this mean that if I hire a non-Muslim female domestic full time and living on our property that I have to cover up completely in front of her? What if I hired a Muslim domestic?
Jazaaq Allah
Answer:
Wa Alaykum Salam,
This is regarding ‘awrah (nakedness, parts that must be covered) of Muslim women vis-a-vis non-Muslim women. There are two broad views, generally speaking:
1- That it is obligatory for a Muslim woman to cover herself except the face, hands and feet, which is the same obligation with regards to men.
2- That whatever is above the navel and below the knees are not the ‘Awrah, and so may be exposed in front of the non-Muslim woman. This is also the relied-upon position between Muslim women.
In this case, scholars advise to take the first opinion (especially for Hanafis and Shafi’is) wherever possible. If there is a need or necessity, then the second opinion can be taken.
Wallahu A’lam
Abdul Shakur
