This excerpt is taken from Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi's book Halal and Haram in Islam, translated into Urdu by Muhammad Tahir Naqqash.
A Woman Entering Public Baths
Since Islam wants to protect the 'awrah' (private parts) and keep it concealed, the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, instructed women to avoid entering public baths and being naked in front of other women. The condition of such women is that they consider mentioning the physical attributes of other women openly in gatherings as a source of pleasure.
Similarly, the Prophet, peace be upon him, forbade men from entering the bath without a loincloth.
It is narrated from Jabir, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said:
من كان يؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر فلا يدخل الحمام إلا بمثزر، ومن كان يؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر فلا يدخل حليلته الحمام
"Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should not enter the bath without a loincloth, and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should not allow his wife to enter the bath."
Reference: Musnad Ahmad: 3393, Tirmidhi, Book of Manners, Chapter on Entering the Bath, Hadith: 2801 - Nasa'i, Book of Ghusl, Chapter on Permission to Enter the Bath, Hadith: 401, Mustadrak Hakim 288/4
Sayyida Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, narrates:
إن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم نهى عن دخول الحمامات ثم رخص للرجال أن يدخلوها بالمازر
"The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, forbade entering the bath. Later, men were permitted to enter with a loincloth."
Reference: Abu Dawood, Book of Baths, Chapter on Entering the Bath, Hadith: 4009 - Tirmidhi, same reference Hadith: 2802 - Ibn Majah, Book of Manners, Chapter on Entering the Bath, Hadith: 3749 - Its chain is weak due to Abu Udhrah, unknown narrator
The exception to this is when a woman enters the bath for treatment due to illness or postpartum bleeding. Thus, Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Amr, may Allah be pleased with him, states that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said about baths:
فلا يدخلها الرجال إلا بمثزر وامنعوها النساء إلا مريضة أو نفساء
"Men should not enter the bath without a loincloth, and forbid women from doing so except if a woman is ill or experiencing postpartum bleeding."
Reference: Abu Dawood, same reference Hadith: 4011, Ibn Majah, same reference Hadith: 3748 - Its chain is weak due to Abdul Rahman bin Ziyad bin An'am al-Afriki who is weak
There is some weakness in the chain of this hadith, but the Shariah’s principle of allowance for the sick strengthens it. Also, it is supported by the principle that what is forbidden as a means to an end becomes permissible in cases of necessity and benefit. This is further supported by the narration of Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said:
اتقوا بيتا يقال له الحمام، قالوا يا رسول الله لأنه يذهب الدرن وينفع المريض - قال: فمن دخل فليستتر
"Avoid the place called the bath." The companions, may Allah be pleased with them, said: "O Messenger of Allah, bathing in the bath removes dirt and benefits the sick." He said: "In such a case, the one entering should cover his 'awrah'."
Reference: Mustadrak Hakim: 288/4, Tabrani in Al-Kabir: 27/11 - 10932, Al-Bazzar in his Musnad: 319
If a woman enters the bath without excuse or necessity, she commits a sin and becomes deserving of the warning of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, which was narrated by Sayyiduna Abu al-Malih Hudhali, may Allah be pleased with him:
إن نساء من أهل حمص أو من أهل الشام دخلن على عائشة فقالت : انتن اللاتي تدخلن نساء كن الحمامات سمعت رسول الله يقول: ما من إمرأة تضع ثيابها فى غير بيت زوجها إلا هتكت الستر بينها وبين ربها
Some women from the people of Homs or the people of Sham came to Sayyida Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, and she asked them: "Do your women enter the bath? I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, say: 'Whoever a woman uncovers her clothes except in her husband's house, she tears apart the veil between her and her Lord.'"
Reference: Abu Dawood, Book of Baths, Chapter on Entering the Bath, Hadith: 4010 - Tirmidhi, Book of Manners, Chapter on Entering the Bath, Hadith: 3803 - Ibn Majah, Book of Manners, Chapter on Entering the Bath, Hadith: 3750
And it is narrated from Sayyida Umm Salamah, may Allah be pleased with her, that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said:
أيما امرأة نزعت ثيابها فى غير بيتها خرق الله عنها سترها
"Whoever a woman uncovers her clothes in another’s house, Allah tears apart the veil between her and Allah."
Reference: Musnad Ahmad 301/6 - Mustadrak Hakim: 2389/4
When the rulings of Islam regarding women entering the bath are so strict, even though the bath is enclosed and only women enter it, then what will be the ruling on those shameless and wayward women who openly display their 'awrah' on the streets and expose their bodies on the seashore to provide pleasure for greedy eyes and arousal for lustful desires?
In reality, they have torn apart all the veils of modesty and shame that were between them and the Most Merciful. Men are equally partners in this sin because they were made responsible guardians. If only they understood their responsibility!
