Fatwa ID: 08153

Answered by Aalimah Khadija Tarwala

Question:

Assalamu Alaikum. I share a room with my elder sister as our house is small and there is no other space to add another bed. Our room is the same but we have separate beds beside each other. Is this permissible? My sister usually wears a night gown that goes past the knees but it shows the shoulders, upper back and sometimes cleavage. I don’t have an issue with it but sometimes in the mornings her breast accidentally becomes exposed by accident. Was I sinful for accidentally seeing?

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

Walaikum asalaam,
In the Hanafi Fiqh, modesty and covering one’s awrah are important obligations not only during prayer but also in everyday life. While you and your sister sleep in separate beds, sharing a room increases the risk of accidental exposure. Modesty should always be maintained, as covering is required for both prayer and general interactions. It is important to take proper precautions so exposure does not happen.

If you accidentally saw something, you would not be sinful because the sighting was not intentional. However, it is important for the future that you be mindful of the clothing worn in shared spaces and take steps to prevent accidental exposure.

The Quran emphasizes the importance of modesty, saying:
“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do.”
(Surah An-Nur, 24:30)

قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا۟ مِنْ أَبْصَـٰرِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا۟ فُرُوجَهُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَزْكَىٰ لَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ (24:30)

التَّسَتُّرَ آكد؛ لِأَنَّهُ يَجِبُ لِلصَّلَاةِ، وَلِغَيْرِهَا، وَيُلْزِمُهُ بِتَرْكِهِ فِي الطَّوَافِ دَمٌ
كتاب النهاية في شرح الهداية – السغناقي [الحسام السغناقي] ج 2: ص: 170

لِمَّا لَمْ يُخْتَصُّ السَّتْرُ بِالصَّلَاةِ؛ لِأَنَّهُ يَكُونُ السَّتْرُ لِلصَّلَاةِ، وَلِلنَّاسِ كَانَ نَفْعُهُ أَعَمَّ، فَكَانَ السَّتْرُ أَوْلَى
كتاب النهاية في شرح الهداية – السغناقي [الحسام السغناقي] ج 2: ص: 170

Only Allah knows best.
Written by Aalimah Khadija Tarwala.
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah.
Darul Ifta Birmingham.