Section

This, then, concerns women covering themselves before men, and men covering their private parts before other men, and women before other women. As the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“A man must not look at another man’s private parts, nor a woman at another woman’s private parts.”

He also said:

“Guard your private parts except from your wife or those whom your right hand possesses.” I asked, “What if people are together?” He replied, “If you can ensure that no one sees them, then let no one see them.” I asked, “What if one of us is alone?” He replied, “Allah is more deserving of being shown modesty.”

He also forbade a man from lying in bodily contact with another man beneath a single covering, or a woman with another woman beneath a single covering. Concerning children, he said:

“Command them to pray at seven, strike them for neglecting it at ten, and separate them in their beds.”

Thus, he prohibited looking at or touching the private parts of someone of the same sex because of the ugliness and indecency involved. As for men in relation to women, the reason is sexual desire. These, then, are two distinct kinds of covering, while prayer involves a third. Even when a woman prays alone, she is commanded to cover her head, whereas outside prayer she may uncover her head in her home. Wearing proper attire in prayer is therefore required as a right due to Allah. No one may circumambulate the House naked, even if