that is forbidden, and from exposing them to anyone who has no right to see them. Likewise, a man is forbidden to touch another person’s private parts. As authentically reported, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, forbade a man from lying in direct bodily contact with another man under a single covering, and a woman from doing likewise with another woman. He also commanded that children be given separate sleeping places when they reach ten years of age.

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, also clarified this by saying:

“Guard your private parts from everyone except your wife or those whom your right hand possesses,” when he was asked, “O Messenger of Allah, with regard to our private parts, what may we expose and what must we conceal? … What if people are gathered closely together?” He replied, “If you can ensure that no one sees them, then let no one see them.” The questioner said: “I asked, ‘What if one of us is alone?’ He replied, ‘Allah is more deserving than people that you should feel shame before Him.’”

Thus, he commanded that they be covered even when one is alone. This is obligatory according to most scholars. However, if someone bathes in a secluded place beside a wall, a tree or the like, whether in his home, a bathhouse or elsewhere, the majority of scholars permit him to uncover his private parts in such circumstances. For it is authentically reported:

“Moses bathed naked,”

“Job bathed naked,”

and “Fātimah would screen the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, with a cloth, and then he would bathe.”

This is uncovering for a need, like uncovering when relieving oneself or having intercourse, only to the extent needed. For this reason, scholars regarded it as disliked for someone relieving himself to raise his garment before he is close to the ground.