Fatwa ID: 06246
Answered by: Muftiyah Habiba Akhtar
Question:
I have been diagnosed with Varicose Veins and my doctor referred me to a personal trainer to help tackle the veins issues. The trainer first wants me to check my muscle definition and for that, I need to wear tight leggings and a top and go braless and without underwear. My question is am I allowed doing as they instructed since they are helping me with a medical problem?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
In Islam, the dress code and dress sense are based on the requirement of Modesty. No guidelines or specific requirements for clothing are outlined instead the need for modesty is emphasised.
How a Muslim dresses whether it be a man or a woman, to dress sensibly and modestly is a requirement.
In Hadith, it states, It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that:
The Prophet [SAW] said: “Modesty (Al-Haya’) is a branch of Faith.”
(1)
From this, we can understand that being modest is an important element of faith and is instrumental to our faith.
Therefore, concealing and shape hiding clothing is the norm for modest wear and removing undergarments or wearing tight clothing will be void of modesty.
As such, if the question was asked regarding such clothing being worn at the gym, we would also be reprehensible about it.
However, when there is a genuine need such as medical purposes than for the sake of the necessity to protect oneself by keeping healthy, it will be allowed then due to necessity. This necessity is only achieved however when the need arises for an opposite gender to see you and treat you for your illness when someone of the same gender is unavailable (2).
This is further discussed in Al Hidayah. A doctor meaning a treatment facilitator has the excuse to deal with and treat a client whilst maintaining as much distance as possible. (3)
Therefore, if you’ve exhausted your efforts to find someone to treat you to your preference, then you may dress in the manner mentioned to treat yourself.
Only Allah knows best
Written by Muftiyah Habiba Akhtar
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
(1)
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ حَبِيبِ بْنِ عَرَبِيٍّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدٌ، – يَعْنِي ابْنَ الْحَارِثِ – عَنِ ابْنِ عَجْلاَنَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ دِينَارٍ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ “ الْحَيَاءُ شُعْبَةٌ مِنَ الإِيمَانِ ” .
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that: The Prophet [SAW] said: “Modesty (Al-Haya’) is a branch of Faith.”
Sunan an-Nasa’i 5006
(2)
النوع الأول: الضروريات
وهي: كل أمر لا بد منه لقيام مصالح الوجود الإنساني، بحيث إذا فقد لم تجر تلك المصالح على استقامة، بل في الدنيا على فساد وهلاك، وفي الآخرة على خزي وندامة وخسران مبين
الضرورة الثانية: حفظ النفس. وهو حفظها من جميع أسباب التلف والفساد، وذلك بالأخذ بأسباب البقاء والعافية:
فأمرت الشريعة بالزواج لحفظ النوع الإنساني وتكثيره بالتناسل، وأباحت الأطعمة والأشربة والألبسة والمساكن، وما به قيام الحياة واستدامتها كالأخذ بأسباب الصحة، كالنظافة، والرياضات، والتطيب، كان ذلك في البدن أو في الروح، فالعلل قد تعتري النفس في طرفيها، والعافية مطلوبة لحماية النفس في ذلك كله
(Maqasid Shariah, Abdullah bin Yusuf Al Juday’, Page 24-25)
(3)
ويجوز للطبيب أن ينظر إلى موضع المرض منها” للضرورة “وينبغي أن يعلم امرأة مداواتها” لأن نظر الجنس إلى الجنس أسهل “فإن لم يقدروا يستر كل عضو منها سوى موضع المرض” ثم ينظر ويغض بصره ما استطاع؛ لأن ما ثبت بالضرورة يتقدر بقدرها وصار كنظر الخافضة والختان.
Hidayah, Page 369, volume 4, Darul Ahyat Turath)
