Advanced search
Visit
9726
Last Updated: 2009/09/01
Summary of question
What is the criterion and standard for a woman to be considered old and aged? Is there a specific age?
question
I have read that in Islam when a woman reaches a very old age that the rules of mahram and non-mahram no longer apply to her and that it is seemingly permissible for her to unveil her hijab in front of men. If this is correct, then how do we judge 'very old'? How do we determine when this is applicable?
Concise answer

This question doesn’t have a brief answer. Please click on the detailed answer.

Detailed Answer

The grand Ayatullahs and marja’s of taqlid have excluded old women and children who can't distinguish between good and bad from the rulings of non-mahrams. The late Ayatullah Bahjat says:

“Looking at and making physical contact with old women and little girls who can't distinguish between good and bad, without lust, is permissible.”[1]

The ‘standard’ for seeing which women are considered ‘old’ and ‘aged’ has to do with society and the condition and circumstances of the woman; they are what determines which woman is aged and which isn't. It is possible for an old woman who is good-looking and in good shape to arouse the lust of men in a certain society, while that not being the case in another. The same goes for little girls who can't distinguish between good and bad; in some societies they might arouse the lust of men while in others, they don’t. Thus there is no one standard that applies everywhere, you just have to see which ones are considered so and which ones aren't (and in the case of not coming to a conclusion, you have to consider them not to have reached that level of age and unattractiveness yet until you are sure).

Ayatullah Mahdi Hadavi Tehrani’s response to this inquiry:

The old woman who no longer needs to observe the hijab is one who according to normal people, usually isn't the type who would attract anyone and doesn’t arouse the lust in anyone.

Looking at such women without lust is permissible.

For further information, see:

1- The ruling of looking at non-mahram women, Question 1066 (website: 1131).

2- Haram and sinful glances, Question 1396 (website: 1420).

3- Hijab in Islam, Question 431 (website: 459).

4- The reason for women’s hijab, Question 825 (website: 884).

5- The impact of society on hijab, Question 3439 (website: 4132).


[1] Tawdihul-Masa’el (annotated by Imam Khomeini), vol. 2, pg. 493.

Question translations in other languages
Comments
Number of comments 0
Please enter the value
Example : Yourname@YourDomane.ext
Please enter the value
Please enter the value

Thematic Category

Random questions

  • Is infallibility based on predestination or free will?
    9774 Philosophy of Religion 2010/05/26
    This question doesn’t have a brief answer. Please click on the detailed answer. ...
  • I would like to know the methods of religious thought.
    9742 Traditional 2006/07/15
    There are three methods of religious thought in Islam. The Holy Quran in its teachings points to three paths for Muslims to follow in order to comprehend the purposes of religion and the Islamic sciences: (1) the path of the external and formal aspect of religion (the ...
  • Is it possible for Imam Zaman to ever commit a sin, no matter how small?
    7896 Traditional 2011/04/20
    According to the Ahlul-Bayt’s school of thought, Imam Zaman holds the high rank of infallibility (‘ismah) and is an infallible (ma’sum). The ma’sum is one who through Allah's (swt) grace is free from all impurity, sin, forgetfulness and error.For further information, ...
  • Can a person borrow money to go to hajj?
    11231 Laws and Jurisprudence 2011/06/07
    This question can be answered in two parts:A) Hajj is one of the greatest worships that one can borrow money for, and there are hadiths by the infallibles regarding the permissibility of borrowing for it in hadith sources.[1]B) Another issue that arises here is that since ...
  • One who has repeatedly repented and broken his repentance and now doubts frequently about Allah and the imams, has Allah forsaken such a person? What is the way to gain proximity to Allah?
    10247 Practical 2011/05/08
    Sin and disobedience brings about one’s destruction, while repentance and a resolution to refrain from sin is movement towards salvation. Shaytan is man's enemy and all of his efforts go into creating temptations and suggestions in human beings, and creating a distance between them and ...
  • Does God, the Exalted, forgive an adulterer?
    7465 Practical 2012/09/25
    Dear User, God, the Compassionate and the Merciful, has promised to forgive all the sins of the penitent, even the sin of associating with Him a partner.[1] It is necessary to note that repentance from adultery or fornication is not ...
  • Is Abu Hamzah Thumali (Somali) from the country of Somalia?
    8011 تاريخ بزرگان 2012/08/21
    Thabit bin Dinar better known as “Abu Hamzah Thumali” is one of the great Shia narrators and a contemporary of several infallible Imams (A.S.). His title “Thumali” is pronounced somehow like “Somali” but there is no connection between this narrator and Somalia and there are different reasons ...
  • Is it right to limit women?
    7900 Practical 2009/10/22
    The spiritual and moral health of a society depends on that of its individuals; men and women, and the spiritual health of individuals is only reachable through training and raising them correctly.  Islam has provided its followers with many instructions and guidelines regarding raising children (the first stage ...
  • Is it haram to consume industrial alcohol? What is ruling on taking narcotics?
    8832 مواد مخدر 2012/04/17
    The responses of the grand maraji’ to your question are as follows: The office of the Grand Ayatullah Sistani (may Allah prolong his life): 1. Alcohol is intoxicating and its consumption impermissible. 2. It is haram. 3. If it ...
  • Can a major sin be forgiven?
    13848 Practical 2010/12/21
    A major sin is one that being punished in hell is promised to its committer in the Quran or ahadith. (There are also other criteria for a sin being a major one). Also minor sins turn into major sins when committed repeatedly (when insisted on ...

Popular