Does the Awrah From the Navel to the Knees Include the Back of the Body as Well?
Question
Since the awrah is from the bellybutton to the knees, does that apply to the back side of the body as well? In other words, does the awrah also include from around the middle of the back until the back of the knees?
Answer
Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain.
1. The Shar‘i Definition of Awrah
For men, the awrah is defined as what must be covered from others’ view, regardless of direction or angle.
The well-known ruling states that a man’s awrah is from the navel to the knees, with scholarly discussion on whether the navel and knees themselves are included. What matters here is that this definition refers to a region of the body, not merely the front.
2. Awrah Is Not Limited to the Front
The awrah ruling applies to the entire body area between the navel and the knees, from all sides:
- Front
- Back
- Left and right sides
This includes:
- The lower back
- The buttocks
- The hips
- The back of the thighs
So yes, the awrah includes the back side of the body from the waist area down to the knees.
Covering only the front while exposing the back (such as the buttocks or upper thighs) does not fulfill the obligation of covering the awrah.
3. Why Direction Does Not Matter
Awrah is defined by body area, not by visibility from a certain direction.
If a part of the body is considered awrah, it must be covered whether a person is standing, bending, sitting, or facing away.
This is especially relevant in situations such as:
- Salah
- Changing clothes
- Public or semi-public settings
- Sports or physical activity
4. Relevant Usul Principle
العبرة بعموم اللفظ لا بخصوص السبب
Consideration is given to the general wording, not to a specific application.
When the texts define the awrah as a range of the body, that ruling applies generally to that entire region, not only to one side of it.
Final Ruling
Yes, the awrah from the navel to the knees includes the entire area around the body, including the back, buttocks, and back of the thighs.
A man must ensure that this entire region is properly covered from all sides.
And Allah knows best.