I am an aspiring professional athlete and so I use gyms and sports facilities often. These often have communal showers and I use them. There are no sexual intentions and everyone goes about their business in a safe atmosphere. I'm not asking if people dislike this but instead if it is allowed even if the prophet (pbuh) did not do this. Personally I think its good for body confidence and acceptance and there are no other intentions but to go about your business in a safe environment where everyone else does the same. Is this allowed? Please let me know. I'm happy to discuss with others as long as we are all respectful.
Is communal showering ever allowed? Respectful discussions only
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Assalamu alaykum,
In Islam we have the concept of awrah, where we are not allowed to expose the private area. This is actually part of the innate nature that Allah has created within humans. Allah سبحانه وتعالى has also taught us the importance of modesty and to lower the gaze from forbidden things.
Using such communal showers would mean you are regularly exposing yourself as well as seeing the private parts of other people, both of which are not appropriate. Can you not go home to have a shower or find a place to shower privately?
Allah سبحانه وتعالى knows best.
In Islam we have the concept of awrah, where we are not allowed to expose the private area. This is actually part of the innate nature that Allah has created within humans. Allah سبحانه وتعالى has also taught us the importance of modesty and to lower the gaze from forbidden things.
Using such communal showers would mean you are regularly exposing yourself as well as seeing the private parts of other people, both of which are not appropriate. Can you not go home to have a shower or find a place to shower privately?
Allah سبحانه وتعالى knows best.
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Waalaikumusalaam; thank you for your reply. Is it highly recommended by Allah to cover your awrah in all circumstances and is makrooh if you do it or is it a must and is haraam if you do so in any circumstance.
Yes I am exposed when using communal shower but this is after team sports mostly and so no one is looking at privates and I am not looking at anyone else's. I just go about my business and feel fine doing this because of the atmosphere. In other situations I wouldn't be. There are no private showers and it is socially accepted to use the communal showers so I nor anyone else is offended.
I would much rather continue to use the communal shower as its socially accepted by everyone, I don't look at anyone else, I feel comfortable in this situation and keep to myself and there are no private showers and have a long travel home.
Thanks for your reply is it makrooh or extremely haraam to use these facilities ever?
Yes I am exposed when using communal shower but this is after team sports mostly and so no one is looking at privates and I am not looking at anyone else's. I just go about my business and feel fine doing this because of the atmosphere. In other situations I wouldn't be. There are no private showers and it is socially accepted to use the communal showers so I nor anyone else is offended.
I would much rather continue to use the communal shower as its socially accepted by everyone, I don't look at anyone else, I feel comfortable in this situation and keep to myself and there are no private showers and have a long travel home.
Thanks for your reply is it makrooh or extremely haraam to use these facilities ever?
I have seen this interpretation, could this allow for communal showering as I am guarding my private parts from sexual acts and am not looking at anyone."Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts). That is purer for them. Verily, Allah is All-Aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual
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Assalamu alaykum,
Allah, سبحانه وتعالى says (interpretation of the meaning):
O children of Adam, We have bestowed upon you clothing to conceal your private parts and as adornment. But the clothing of righteousness - that is best. That is from the signs of Allah that perhaps they will remember.
O children of Adam, let not Satan tempt you as he removed your parents from Paradise, stripping them of their clothing to show them their private parts. Indeed, he sees you, he and his tribe, from where you do not see them. Indeed, We have made the devils allies to those who do not believe [al-A‘raaf 7:26-27].
Scholars have stated that it is obligatory for the man to cover his ‘awrah, which is the area between the navel and the knees, except from his wife or concubine. A man asked the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم: O Prophet of Allah, with regard to our ‘awrah, what must we cover of it and what may we uncover? He said: “Cover your ‘awrah (completely) except from your wife and those whom your right hand possesses (i.e., concubines).” I said: O Messenger of Allah, what if the people are staying close together? He said: “If you can make sure that no one sees it, then do not let anyone see it.” I said: O Prophet of Allah, what if one of us is alone? He said: “Allah is more deserving that you should feel shy before Him than people.” [Collected by at-Tirmidhi].
It was also narrated that Abu Sa‘eed al-Khudri said: The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “No man should look at the ‘awrah of another man, and no woman should look at the ‘awrah of another woman.” Narrated by Muslim (338).
Here are two fatwas which discuss 'public baths' which seem to be different from a communal shower, but note that there are guidelines:
Is it permissible for a woman to go to the hammam (public baths or “Turkish baths”)? - Islam Question & Answer (islamqa.info)
Women may go to public bath in certain cases (islamweb.net)
Allah سبحانه وتعالى Knows Best.
Allah, سبحانه وتعالى says (interpretation of the meaning):
O children of Adam, We have bestowed upon you clothing to conceal your private parts and as adornment. But the clothing of righteousness - that is best. That is from the signs of Allah that perhaps they will remember.
O children of Adam, let not Satan tempt you as he removed your parents from Paradise, stripping them of their clothing to show them their private parts. Indeed, he sees you, he and his tribe, from where you do not see them. Indeed, We have made the devils allies to those who do not believe [al-A‘raaf 7:26-27].
Scholars have stated that it is obligatory for the man to cover his ‘awrah, which is the area between the navel and the knees, except from his wife or concubine. A man asked the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم: O Prophet of Allah, with regard to our ‘awrah, what must we cover of it and what may we uncover? He said: “Cover your ‘awrah (completely) except from your wife and those whom your right hand possesses (i.e., concubines).” I said: O Messenger of Allah, what if the people are staying close together? He said: “If you can make sure that no one sees it, then do not let anyone see it.” I said: O Prophet of Allah, what if one of us is alone? He said: “Allah is more deserving that you should feel shy before Him than people.” [Collected by at-Tirmidhi].
It was also narrated that Abu Sa‘eed al-Khudri said: The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “No man should look at the ‘awrah of another man, and no woman should look at the ‘awrah of another woman.” Narrated by Muslim (338).
Here are two fatwas which discuss 'public baths' which seem to be different from a communal shower, but note that there are guidelines:
Is it permissible for a woman to go to the hammam (public baths or “Turkish baths”)? - Islam Question & Answer (islamqa.info)
Women may go to public bath in certain cases (islamweb.net)
Allah سبحانه وتعالى Knows Best.
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