Ruling on covering the `Awrah

A: According to the consensus of Muslim scholars, covering the `Awrah (parts of the body that must be covered in public) is Wajib (obligatory). The whole body of the woman is `Awrah, whereas the front and back private parts of the man is regarded as `Awrah by consensus of scholars. The most preponderant view of scholars is that man's `Awrah is from the navel to the knees, for what is narrated from `Aly (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, Do not uncover your thigh, and do not look at the thigh of the living and the dead. Related by Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah. It is also related on the authority of Muhammad ibn Jahsh that he said, The Messenger of Allah passed while Ma`mar was sitting and his thighs were uncovered. He (the Prophet) said, 'O Ma`mar! Cover your thighs for they are `Awrah. Related by Ahmad in his Musnad and Al-Bukhari in his Sahih as Mu`allaq (a Hadith missing a link in the chain of narration, reported directly from the Prophet), and Al-Hakim in (Part No. 6; Page No. 165) his Mustadrak. It is also related by Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, The thigh is a private part. Related by Al-Tirmidhy and Ahmad with the wording: The Prophet (peace be upon him) passed by a man whose thigh was uncovered. He (peace be upon him) said, 'Cover you thigh as the thigh is a private part.' Furthermore, it is related on the authority of Jarhad Al-Aslamy that he said, The Prophet (peace be upon him) passed by me while I was wearing a burdah (garment) and my thigh was uncovered. He (peace be upon him) said, 'Cover your thigh as the thigh is a private part.' Related by Malik in Al-Muwatta', Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Al-Tirmidhy and he commented on it saying that it is Hasan. Such Hadiths support one another, and when taken as a whole they provide the required evidence.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.