The scholars have said that women are permitted to enter the bathhouse when needed, just as men are, provided they lower their gaze and keep their private parts covered. This includes, for example, a woman who is ill, has recently given birth, or must perform a ritual bath that she cannot perform anywhere except in the bathhouse. If, however, she has become accustomed to the bathhouse and finds it difficult to give it up, there are two opinions within the school of Ahmad and elsewhere concerning whether she may continue: one forbids it, while the other permits it. The latter is the position of Abū Hanīfah and was preferred by Ibn al-Jawzī.

Just as lowering the gaze includes refraining from looking at those parts of another person’s body that must be covered, and at other forbidden sights, it also includes refraining from looking into people’s homes. A person’s home conceals his body just as his clothing does. Allah, glorified be He, mentioned lowering the gaze and guarding one’s private parts after the verse concerning seeking permission to enter. This is because homes provide concealment, like the clothes worn on the body. He likewise mentioned both kinds of covering together in His words, exalted be He:

“And Allah has made shade for you from what He has created, and has made shelters for you in the mountains, and has made garments for you to protect you from the heat, and garments to protect you in battle.”

Each provides protection against harm, whether from harmful exposure to heat, sunlight, and cold, or from people through their gaze, their hands, and other means. At the beginning of Sūrat al-Nahl, He mentioned the fundamental blessings, mentioning here what wards off cold, since cold is among the things that can destroy life. Later in the surah, He mentioned the completion of His blessings and what wards off heat, since heat is among the things that cause discomfort. Then He said:

“Thus He perfects His blessing upon you, so that you may