Islam has taught people to have a sense of modesty and to cover their private parts, this is for both women and men. Islam does not allow women to see the private parts of other women or men (besides her husband), and men are not allowed to see the private parts of the other men or women (besides his wife).
It is mentioned in the following hadith:
Muslim, Book 3, Hadith 667:
‘Abd al-Rahman, the son of Abu Sa’id al-Khudri, reported from his father: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: A man should not see the private parts of another man, and a woman should not see the private parts of another woman, and a man should not lie with another man under one covering, and a woman should not lie with another woman under one covering.
The above hadith emphasizes that a man should not be allowed to sleep with another man in one bed, nor should a woman be allowed to lay with another woman under one blanket or in one bed. Therefore, when we have a daughter or a son who has grown-up (though they have not yet reached puberty) is suggested to separate their beds or bedrooms though they are brother/sister.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) himself has reminded his friend that his thigh was open, even though he’s a man, because the thigh is a body part that should be covered. The following hadith reads:
Abu Dawud, 4003:
Narrated Jarhad: The Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) sat with us and my thigh was uncovered. He said: Do you not know that thigh is a private part.
Sunan Abu Dawud, 4004:
Narrated Ali ibn AbuTalib: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Do not uncover your thigh, and do not look at the thigh of the living and the dead.
A woman is allowed to see the body of another woman (without lust) except for her private parts. Hence, women who bathe in the public bath, swimming pool, sports venues, fitness centers, etc. are NOT permitted to see the private parts of other women, let alone a man who is not her mahram. Even when there is passion and there are fears trapped in sin, then one does not have permission to see, although only the face and hands, no matter whether she knows the woman or not, old or young, pretty or not.
A woman is allowed to see the body of another man of her mahram (without lust) except his private parts. This does not apply for her husband. Women are not allowed to see the body of a man who is NOT her mahram other than the face, hands, and other parts that are generally not covered.
So how should we look at children’s body parts? If the child is a girl, as long as the child is not mature (baligh), a woman can see the girl’s body, but if she is mature, according to the Ihtiyat Wajib, women are no longer allowed to see her private parts. Therefore, it should be noted, especially for every mother if her daughter had baligh, the mother is no longer allowed to see her daughter’s private parts, such as when bathing together, even when there is no desire.
When a woman’s child is a boy, a woman can look at his body until he reaches the age of puberty, but according to Ihtiyat Wajib when the child is mature, then a woman is not allowed to see her son’s private part, and there is no difference between boys that are mahram and non-mahram.
What if we do not know whether the child has reached puberty or not? If in doubt, then assume the child has not baligh yet, but it would be better not to see his/her private part.
The rules above do not include a state of emergency, such as doctors who should check the condition of their patients.
Wallahu a’lam
Source: Rules related looking others
