The main principles which preserve the relationship between men and women according to the Islamic Shari‘ah are:

Men and women must cover their awrah.

Men and women are segregated, and mixing between them is allowed only in specific areas.

It is not allowed for an unrelated man and woman to be together in a secluded place (khalwa).

Men and women must lower their gaze towards each other and preserve their modesty.

It is not permitted for a woman to travel alone for more then 24 hours away from a secure place (i.e. without a mahram). 6. Marriage is a valid institution for unrelated men and women to have intimate companionship with each other. Marriage may be dissolved by divorce. 7. Islam defines the roles of motherhood, fatherhood and children.

Awrah is the term used by Islam to indicate the areas of the body on a man or woman which must be covered up in the presence of other people. This is an act which preserves the modesty and dignity of those who conform to it. There are different degrees of awrah, and the extent to which they must be covered depends on the relationship that the Muslim has with the people around him or her.

The awrah of the man can be divided into two categories :

Awrah Ghalida (hard awrah) : this encompasses the private parts and the back side.

Awrah Khafifa (soft awrah) : this encompasses the other areas from between the navel to the knee.

The awrah of the man to another man :

It is forbidden for the man to uncover any area of either of these parts of his soft or hard awrah in public, or in private when other men are present.

The awrah of the man to the woman :

The same applies when the man is in the presence of any woman, including his near relatives. However, it is permitted for a man to show any part of his awrah to his wife.

Evidence: Abu Said al-Khudri said that the Prophet (saw) said, “A man’s awrah is between his navel and his knees.”.

The awrah of the woman is divided into two areas :

Awrah Ghalida (hard awrah) : This is between the chest (including the breast) and the knee.

Awrah Khafifa (soft awrah) : This is all of the body except for the face and the hands.

The awrah of the woman to a man:

The soft awrah must be covered at all times when the woman is in the public areas or when an unrelated man may be able to see her, like the street or the market-place. The clothes that she wears cannot be tight, and reveal the shape of her body, as this does not constitute the adequate covering of her awrah. If an unrelated man has looked at even as much as one hair on her head, then he has seen her awrah, and has committed a sin (unless their is a valid Shari‘ah reason for doing so, e.g. medical treatment etc).

If the woman is in the private places, like her home, but is in the presence of her male mahram (non-marriageable relatives) or other women, she must cover her hard awrah, but may show her soft awrah.

The only person in front of whom the woman can show all of her body, including the hard awrah, is her husband.

‘A’isha (ra) narrated that Asma, the daughter of Abu Bakr came to the Messenger of Allah (saw) while there were thin clothes on her. He turned his face away from her and said to her, “O Asma! When a girl reaches the menstrual time, it is not proper for her that anything should remain exposed except this and this.” He gestured at her face and palms. Abu Daud.

There is a specific dress code that the woman must conform to when she is in public areas, as well as covering her awrah. This concerns the issue of adornment. She must wear an outer garment, which consists of:

Khimar - this is a head covering which conceals all of her hair, and reaches down to cover her chest.

Jilbab - This is a barrel shaped outer garment which covers the whole body, and does not reveal the underlying shape or definition. This may be in one piece or two pieces. Allah (swt) says, “Oh Prophet, say to your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers that they let down over them their jilbab (over garment); this will be more proper, that they may be known, and thus they will not be annoyed.” [TMQ 33:59].

As well, the woman is forbidden from wearing bright colours or any style of clothing that will attract attention to her. This applies for jewellery, make-up, or anything which may make a noise when she walks. She is also not allowed to put on perfume that can be smelt when she is in public places. However, if she wears make-up or clothes which do not attract undue attention, she may wear these in public.

In the private areas, while in the presence of other women or her maharim (non-marriageable relatives), but not if in the presence of unrelated men, she may wear whatever clothes and make-up that she chooses, as long as they conform to the Islamic conditions (like covering the hard awrah, not imitating the clothes of the disbelievers, etc.). Allah (swt) says, “And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be modest, and to display of their adornment only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their bosoms, and not to reveal their adornment save to their husbands or fathers, their husbands fathers, their sons, their husbands sons, their brothers or their brothers sons, or their sisters sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hand possesses, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments.” [TMQ 24:31].

These are some of the aspects of the social system, as relating to the woman or the man in their individual capacities. However, the Shari‘ah gives details about the rules regarding areas where men and women interact with each other.