Question (Q-05):
Is the belly button included in the area that has to be covered by men?
Answer:
Answer with the Help of the Almighty
The belly button itself is not part of Al ‘Awrah. It is stated in Bahār e Sharī’at, “The area between the navel and the knees is ‘Awrah (place to be covered) i.e. it is necessary to cover this area. The belly button itself is not included in the Sitr (area to be covered) but the knees are included in the Sitr.”
It is also stated in Radd ul Muhtār;
ما تحت سرته = هو ما تحت الخط الذي يمر بالسرة ويدور علي محيط بدنه بحيث يكون بعده عن موقعه في جميع جوانبه علي السواء كذا في البرجندي اه إسماعيل، فالسرة ليست من العورة “درر”
“What is below his navel – This is what is below the line which crosses across the navel and it circles around the body in such a way that the distance between it and all other sides is the same (it is in the middle). This is what is stated in Al Birjandī. The navel itself is not part of the ‘Awrah.”
Allah the Glorified and Exalted knows best
Answered by: Shaykh Omar Khan
Verified by: Muftī Shamsulhudā Khān Misbāhī (Allah preserve him)
