We live in the residential quarter of one of the cities, and in this quarter there is a women’s club which has a women-only swimming pool and a steam bath (sauna). What is the ruling on women going to this club, and what should their husbands do? We tried to advise some of our brother and they told us that the ‘awrah of a woman in front of another woman is from the navel to the knees, said that their women wear Islamic dress when going swimming – but this dress shows the shape of their ‘awrah. We hope that you can answer this question with shar’i evidence, may Allaah preserve you.
Praise be to Allah.My advice to my brothers is not to let their
women go to swimming clubs and sports clubs, because the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) urged women to stay in their
homes. When speaking about women going to the mosques, which are the
places of worship and shar’i knowledge, he said: “Do not prevent the
female slaves of Allaah from going to the mosques of Allaah, although
their homes are better for them.” This is also in accordance with the
words of Allaah (interpretation of the meaning):
“And stay in your houses” [al-Ahzaab 33:33]
Moreover, if a woman gets used to that
she will form a strong attachment to it, because her emotions are so
strong. Then it will distract her from her religious and worldly duties,
and it will become all that she thinks and talks about. If a woman does
something like this, it will be a means of taking away her modesty,
and if a woman’s modesty is taken away from her, do not even ask about
the evil consequences that may follow, unless Allaah blesses her with
righteousness which will restore to her the modesty which is her birthright.
I will conclude my answer by repeating my
advice to my believing brothers not to let their womenfolk – whether
they are their daughters, sisters, wives or anyone else under their
guardianship – go to these clubs. I ask Allaah to bless all of us with
strength and caution against the misleading ways of temptation, for
He is able to do all things. Praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the Worlds,
and blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and all his family
and companions.