Ishtimāl al-sammā’ consists of wrapping oneself in a garment, then lifting it and throwing it over one shoulder, bringing one’s hand out from beneath it. The prohibited way of sitting with one’s knees drawn up is to draw them against one’s chest, bring the garment around from behind one’s back to one’s knees, and tighten it so that it serves as a support to lean against. Doing this exposes one’s private parts unless another garment is worn underneath. Likewise, wrapping oneself in the manner described exposes one’s private parts on the side where the garment has been thrown over the shoulder, unless one is wearing a lower garment. If one is wearing a lower garment, wrapping oneself in this manner over it is permissible, since the reason for the prohibition—exposure of the private parts—no longer applies. It has also been held that this is impermissible even when one is wearing a lower garment. Differing opinions have been reported from Mālik on this matter. The basis for disallowing it is to adhere to the apparent wording of the hadith, understanding it as generally applicable, and to prevent it from leading an ignorant person, unaware of the reason for the prohibition, to do this without a lower garment after seeing a scholar do so while wearing one.
As for disliked dress, it is that which departs from Arab dress and resembles non-Arab dress. This includes wearing a turban without passing part of it beneath the chin. It has been reported that this is Satan’s manner of wearing a turban. It has also been said that it was, rather, the way the people of Lot wore their turbans. Allah knows best, and success comes through Him.
Section
Entering the Bathhouse
Entering a bathhouse when it is empty is permissible and is not disliked. As for entering it properly covered, in the company of others who are likewise covered, Ibn al-Qāsim said, in Asbagh’s report from him in the Book of Miscellaneous Matters of al-‘Utbiyya: “There is no harm in that.” This means that there is no blame upon him for doing so, though refraining is better. Mālik was asked about bathing with hot water from the bathhouse, as recorded in the section entitled “Ablution and Jihad” among Ashhab’s transmissions in the Book of Ablution of al-‘Utbiyya. He said: “By Allah, entering the bathhouse is not right; how, then, could one bathe with that water?”
The reason this is disliked, even if one enters properly covered among others who are likewise covered, is the fear of unexpectedly seeing someone’s private parts, for anyone entering with the general public can scarcely avoid this. As for entering it without