your private parts from everyone except your wife or those whom your right hand possesses.” He said: “I asked, ‘What if people are gathered closely together?’ He replied, ‘If you can ensure that no one sees them, then let no one see them.’ I asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, what if one of us is alone?’ He replied, ‘Allah is more deserving than people that you should feel shame before Him.’” Reported by Abū Dāwūd, al-Nasā’ī, al-Tirmidhī—who graded it good—and Ibn Mājah.

Those in authority must prohibit this. They must require that no one enter a bathhouse with others unless his private parts are covered, and require bathhouse operators not to admit anyone whose private parts are uncovered. Any operator or patron who disobeys Allah, His Messenger, and those in authority must receive a severe punishment that deters him and others like him who commit indecencies and feel no shame before either Allah or His servants. Exposing the private parts is indeed an indecency.

Allah Most High has said:

“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their private parts.”

It is obligatory to avert one’s gaze from anything at which it is unlawful to look for pleasure, including non-mahram women and the like, and from exposed private parts even when looking at them brings no pleasure, because of the indecency involved. Thus, anyone entering a bathhouse must avert his gaze from anyone whose private parts are exposed, even though that man has himself sinned by exposing them. He must also tell the person who is exposed to cover himself, for this is part of enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, which is obligatory upon people. Likewise, guarding the private parts includes refraining from sexual gratification