Faatimah left home with her husband to visit her mother. Before leaving, Faatimah ensured that she was clad Islamically, by wearing a long, loose-fitting, flowing abaayah to cover her body, a burqa’ to cover her hair, head, shoulders and chest, and a niqaab to cover her face.

After visiting her mother, Faatimah returned home. Now that she was in the safety and seclusion of her home, among her husband and children, she removed the abaayah, niqaab and burqa’.

The question is, “Now, when she is in the confines of her home, behind closed doors, how does she dress and conduct herself?”

In this regard, it is imperative for us to understand that when a woman is alone at home, or among other women or her immediate family from whom she does not have to make purdah (e.g. father, brother, son, etc.), then though the strict laws of purdah which apply when leaving the home will not be binding on her, it does not mean that she may dress in any manner, as she pleases. Rather, even at this time, she should strive to conduct and present herself with hayaa.

In relation to this pertinent topic, there are several dimensions that require elaboration. Some of these are presented below:

Hayaa when Alone

Even if a person (male or female) is in complete seclusion, he/she should still conduct with hayaa. Hence, one should not remain undressed or allow one’s satr to remain exposed without a valid need (e.g. when relieving oneself). If a person is blessed with true imaan and hayaa, then one will naturally feel uncomfortable when undressed, as one will be aware that even though no other person may be present, undoubtedly Allah Ta‘ala is aware of one’s actions and condition.

In the blessed hadeeth, it is reported that Sayyiduna Mu‘aawiyah bin Haidah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) once asked Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) if a person can allow his satr to remain exposed when he is in seclusion. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “Allah has more right that hayaa should be adopted before Him (hence, one should not allow one’s satr to remain exposed without a valid need).” (Sunan Tirmizi #2769)

Hayaa when Using the Toilet

Such was the hayaa of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) that even when relieving himself, he remained conscious of Allah Ta‘ala and thus adopted a high level of hayaa. It is reported that on one occasion, during the period of his khilaafah, he mentioned the following to the people during his khutbah (sermon). He said, “O believers! Adopt hayaa before Allah Ta‘ala! I take an oath by that Being in whose hand lies my life! When I go out to relieve myself in the field, then (even though I am in seclusion where nobody can see me,) I do so while covering my head with my clothing (e.g. a scarf), out of hayaa for my Rabb ‘Azza wa Jall.” (Az-Zuhd – Ibnul Mubaarak #316)

Similarly, it is reported in the blessed hadeeth that when Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) intended to relieve himself, he would not remove his lower garment until he drew close to the ground. (Sunan Abi Dawood #14)

This hadeeth teaches us that when using the toilet, we should not remove our lower garments while standing upright. Instead, we should remove our lower garments after we have drawn close to the ground or toilet seat so that the least amount of time is spent with the satr exposed.

We also understand that we should not remove all our clothing when relieving ourselves. This applies even if the toilet is in the same bathroom as the shower and we will be having a shower afterwards. Rather, we should only remove our additional clothing when entering the shower.

Other important points to bear in mind, relating to using the toilet, is that one should not speak while one is in the toilet – unless there is a genuine need to do so. It is mentioned in the hadeeth that Allah Ta‘ala greatly dislikes people speaking whilst relieving themselves. (Sunan Abi Dawood #15)

From this, we also understand that a Muslim should not use the cell phone to chat or browse the internet while in the toilet. The toilet is a place of filth which is frequented by the shayaateen (Sunan Abi Dawood #6). Thus, a Muslim should not linger unnecessarily in the toilet, but should try to attend to his need swiftly so that he/she may exit quickly, make wudhu and once again enter into a state of purity.

Insha Allah, in the parts to come, further aspects regarding hayaa in the home will be discussed.