Issue 1196: It is illegal for a man to look at the body of non-Mahram women, whether it is for pleasure or not; It is also illegal for a man to look at the hands and face of a non-Mahram woman for pleasure, but it will not be illegal if it is not for pleasure; similarly, it is forbidden for a woman to look at the body of a non-Mahram man; It is permissible to look at the hair and body of an immature girl if it is not for pleasure and if the man knows that he would not be entangled in any sinful act by looking at the girl; however, as a precaution, a man should avoid looking at immature girls’ body parts such as thighs and stomachs which they usually cover.

Issue 1197: It is not forbidden to look at the body, hair, hands and fact of those non-Muslim women whose bareness is common and to whom giving advice will be of no benefit and use, provided that one does not interned to derive pleasure and that they know they will not be entangled in any illegal act by looking at them.

Issue 1198: It is forbidden to look at the private parts of a pubescent person, even through a glass or in a mirror or in clear water and the like. As an obligatory precaution, it is also illegal to look at the private parts of a discerning child.

Issue 1199: If a man and woman who are Mahram to each other do not intend to derive sexual pleasure, they can look at the entire bodies of each other excepting their private parts.

Issue 1200: If it is inevitable for a man to look at the body of a non-Mahram woman or to touch her body in order to cure her illness, it will be permissible to do so, but if the man can cure her by merely looking at her body, he should avoid touching her body and if he can cure her illness by merely touching her body, he should avoid looking at her body.

Q1201: My family and I live in the US. Sometimes, in social occasions and relations it happens to shake hands with the opposite sex. What is your Fatwa on this issue? It should be explained that shaking hands when you meet someone for the first time is a part of their social etiquette.

A: Although it is illegal per se for two non-Mahram people to shake hands willingly, it is permissible in case of necessity even if it is a social necessity, and to determine this necessity is up to the legally obliged adult him/herself.

Q1202: What is the verdict on the hair which grows in a woman’s forehead and is part of her hair on the head, which is difficult to veil. Should this hair be treated in the same way as the hair on one’s head?

A: Since it is apparently part of one’s facial appearance, it is not necessary to veil it, especially if it causes her any hardship; After all, Islam is an easy faith.

Q1203: Muslims who live in the US and wear scarves to veil themselves, have been encountering two difficulties since September 11: first, they are accused of being terrorist; second, regarding the dominant public circumstances, Muslim women’s veiling leads to the attraction of their attentions and consequently entails their negative behavior and reflections towards Muslim women. Hence, as your imitators, we would like to know what the legal and right thing is to do.

A: If the common veiling causes women like you any severe hardship, you can any alternative covering such as hair-piece, which would both help you get ride of those difficulties and veil your hair; of course, this might entail some difficulties which man must bear for the satisfaction of the Creator and beatitude.

Q1204: What is the verdict on shaking hands with and kissing irreligious women or those who are among the People of the Book in ceremonial occasions?

A: It is forbidden.

Q1205: What is the verdict on looking at women in non-Islamic coverings and clothes in other Islamic countries than Iran, without having the intention of driving sexual pleasure?

A: If these women are Muslims, looking at their bodies and whatever entails illegalities and corruption, is forbidden; but looking at their faces in an ordinary way without the intention of deriving sexual pleasure is not illegal.

Q1206: What is the verdict on looking at non-Muslim foreign women or their pictures or watching their movies?

A: If it is not for sexual pleasure, and if their bareness is to the common extent, it will not be illegal to look at them.

Q1207: Are using kohl around a woman’s eyes, plucking eyebrows, wearing gold rings, and using henna on her hands considered as adornments which must be covered?

A: A woman’s hands and face do not count as parts which would be adorned for attraction; but it is forbidden for a woman to wear make-up in order to attract the attention of non-Mahram men which would lead to the corruption of the society.

Q1208: What is your view on boy's ideal clothing and is veiling regarded as the only acceptable way of covering a girl's body or are they also allowed to wear coats and overalls?

A: Regarding public chastity and social discipline, and to prevent social corruptions, it is obligatory for men to cover their bodies and its boundaries follow the mentioned criteria; as for women, it is obligatory to cover their entire body except their faces, hands up to the wrists and feet up to the ankles.