Tirmidhi

Benefits and Issues:
The thigh of a man is included in the ‘awrah (private parts that must be covered), therefore, one should wear long shorts during sports and similar activities.
Likewise, it is not permissible to wear tight-fitting clothing or clothing through which the body is revealed.

The ‘Awrah of a Man is the Area Between the Navel and the Knee

The area between the navel and the knee is the ‘awrah, as evidenced by the following proofs:

➊ The Prophetic hadith states that «مابين السرة والركبة عورة» “Whatever is between the navel and the knee is ‘awrah.” [حسن: إرواء الغليل 271، 247]

➋ In another narration, the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: «الفخد عورة» “The thigh is ‘awrah.” [صحيح: صحيح أبو داود 3389، كتاب الحمام: النهى عن التعرى، أبو داود 4104، ترمذي 2798، أحمد 478/3، بخاري تعليقا 478/1، شيخ محمد صحبي حلاق نے اسے صحيح كها هے۔ التعليق على السيل الجرار 363/1]

➌ It is narrated from Ali radi Allahu anhu that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: «ولا تبرز فخذك ولا تنظر إلى فخذ حبى ولا ميت»

“Do not expose your thigh, and do not look at the thigh of anyone, whether he is alive or dead.” [ضعيف: ضعيف أبو داود 867، ضعيف الجامع 6187، إرواء الغليل 269، أبو داود 4015، أيضا، ابن ماجة 1460، حاكم 180/4، بزار 694]

➍ The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam saw Mu‘ammar radi Allahu anhu with his thighs uncovered and said: «با معمر غط فخذيك فإن الفخذين عورة» “O Mu‘ammar! Cover your thighs, for the thighs are part of the ‘awrah.” [ضعيف: المشكاة 3114، أحمد 290/5، بخاري تعليقا 478/1، حاكم 180/4، شيخ محمد صجي حلاق نے اسے حسن كہا ہے۔ التعليق على السيل الجرار 362/1]

The Issue of ‘Awrah Has Been Disputed Among the Jurists.

(Shafi‘i rahimahullah, Abu Hanifah rahimahullah) The thigh is included in the ‘awrah.

(Malik rahimahullah, Ahmad rahimahullah, Ahl al-Zahir rahimahullah) Only the front and back private parts are ‘awrah. [نيل الأوطار 532/1]

(Preferred Opinion) The thigh is included in the ‘awrah, as is stated in the hadith: «الفخذ عورة» “The thigh is ‘awrah.”

(Ibn Hajar rahimahullah) Regarding the hadith «لا تبرز فخذك», he writes: “This hadith indicates that the thigh is included in the ‘awrah.” [تلخيص الحبير 504/1]

(Nawawi rahimahullah) The majority of scholars hold the view that the thigh is included in the ‘awrah. [المجموع 175/3]

(Shawkani rahimahullah) The correct view is that the thigh is included in the ‘awrah. [نيل الأوطار 532/1]

(Albani rahimahullah) The thigh is ‘awrah. [تمام المنة ص/ 160]

As for the hadiths in which it is mentioned that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam exposed his thigh, such as on the day of Khaybar, [بخاري 371، أحمد 102/3] and likewise in his house before Abu Bakr and Umar radi Allahu anhuma, but when Uthman radi Allahu anhu entered, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam covered his thigh with his garment, [حسن: إرواء الغليل 298/1]

all these hadiths do not contradict the previous ruling, because it is an established principle that «أن القول أرجح من الفعل» “Indeed, a statement is given precedence over an action.” And this action was specific to the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. [نيل الأوطار 532/1-534، تمام المنة ص/ 159]

The Navel and Knees Themselves Are Not Included in the ‘Awrah

Because the hadiths used to argue for their inclusion are either weak or unclear. However, this hadith is evidence that they are not part of the ‘awrah: «ما بين السرة والركبة عورة» “Whatever is between the navel and the knee is ‘awrah.” [إرواء الغليل 247]

As for the narration which states: «الركبة من العورة» “The knee is part of the ‘awrah,” it is weak because in its chain of transmission is Nadr ibn Mansur al-Fazari, who is a weak narrator. Imam Bukhari rahimahullah called him munkar al-hadith, and Imam al-Nasa’i rahimahullah called him weak. [ميزان الاعتدال 264/4]

As with other issues, the jurists have also differed on this matter.

[الأم 181/1، حلية العلماء 62/2، روضة الطالبين 389/1، الإنصاف فى معرفة الراجح من الخلاف 4511]

(Preferred Opinion) The knees are not included in the ‘awrah.

(Shawkani rahimahullah) This is the preferred view. [نيل الأوطار 536/1]

(Albani rahimahullah) There is nothing authentic regarding the knees being ‘awrah. [تمام المنة ص/ 160]
See the benefits regarding the ‘awrah of a slave woman in Abu Dawud, hadith number 4018.

Benefit:
The thigh is included in the ‘awrah (private parts) of a man and should be covered. However, covering it is not obligatory but rather recommended (mustahabb), as is narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari from Anas radi Allahu anhu that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam sat with his thigh uncovered in the presence of his Companions radi Allahu anhum in his house, and when Uthman al-Ghani radi Allahu anhu arrived, he covered it. Therefore, from the established ahadith it is understood that the ‘awrah is of two types: one which must be covered (covering is obligatory), such as the anus and the front private part, and the other which is recommended to cover, such as the thighs. (Tanqih al-Ruwat: 3/6)