(Series of Answers by the Scholar Ata Bin Khalil Abu al-Rashtah, Ameer of Hizb ut-Tahrir, to Questions from Visitors to his Facebook Page "Fiqhi")
Answer to Question
To: Ranood Zagl
Question:
Our honorable Sheikh, Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,
I have read what you wrote regarding wearing trousers in front of relatives and that it is un-Islamic, but you did not attach a proof for it... other than saying it is from Tabarruj. As we have learned, the meaning of Tabarruj is everything that attracts attention, and society's view of Tabarruj may differ from one country to another. Trousers, as I know, in our private social life among relatives, are something that does not attract attention because everyone in private life wears a long shirt and trousers. Thus, it is not eye-catching because everyone is like us, and the society we live in is what determines its view of clothing—whether it contains Tabarruj or not, meaning whether it is eye-catching or not. So, I hope for a clarification from you...
May you be rewarded with goodness, and may Allah grant you victory and support you with the people of His support.
Answer:
Wa Alaikum Assalamu Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,
Linguistically, Tabarruj is a woman displaying her finery and charms to men. It is stated in Lisan al-Arab: (Al-Tabarruj: displaying finery to foreign men, which is blameworthy; as for the husband, it is not.). It is stated in Al-Qamus al-Muhit: (And she performed Tabarruj: she displayed her finery to men.). It is stated in Mukhtar al-Sahhah: ((Al-Tabarruj) is a woman displaying her finery and charms to men.)... And it is stated in Maqayis al-Lugha: ((Baraja) the letters 'Ba', 'Ra', and 'Jeem' have two roots: one of them is prominence and appearing... and from it comes Tabarruj, which is a woman displaying her charms.). It is understood from the word "displaying" and the words "prominence and appearing" that the finery must be eye-catching, as if she is manifesting herself to men.
The Shari'i meaning does not differ from this, as He (swt) said:
وَلَا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِينَ مِنْ زِينَتِهِنَّ
"And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment." (Surah An-Nur 24:31)
Thus, a woman should not strike her feet forcefully on the ground while walking so that the sound of the anklet is heard, leading a man to know that the woman is wearing adornment on her leg under her clothes. All of this means that Tabarruj, linguistically and legally, is eye-catching adornment.
Applying this meaning to wearing trousers in private life in front of non-mahram relatives when they come to the house for upholding ties of kinship—such as greeting their female relatives in situations approved by Shari'ah like Eids... if this clothing is without a long shirt over it that covers the divide of the trousers above the thighs, then it is eye-catching. When a woman wears trousers and the divide of their upper part above the thighs is visible, she attracts attention. However, if the shirt covers the upper divide of the trousers above the thighs and similar areas, then it usually does not attract attention except in unusual cases...
It is not necessary for a text to appear mentioning that wearing trousers in private life in front of non-mahram relatives is Tabarruj. Rather, the evidences above mentioned the reality of what Tabarruj is, and this applies to trousers and a blouse without a shirt covering the divide of the trousers above the thighs and the like. Therefore, the answer to the question stated: ("And wearing trousers is from Tabarruj; therefore, it is not permissible to appear in trousers before non-mahram relatives when they come to uphold kinship ties or for Eid greetings...") end quote. The answer was regarding wearing trousers and a blouse, meaning the visible part not covered by a shirt. This answer was confusing for some sisters, so some of them asked about the subject for clarification, and I sent the following answer:
("What was published on the party's website regarding wearing trousers in the house in front of non-mahram relatives, and that it is considered Tabarruj and thus not permissible in front of them... this answer applies if the trousers are exposed, meaning trousers and a blouse, where the trousers are visible. In this case, it is considered Tabarruj, so it is not permissible to wear it in the house in front of non-mahram relatives when they visit the house to uphold kinship ties during Eids, for example. However, if there is a non-eye-catching skirt over it that covers it or covers a large part of it... then it is not Tabarruj in her house in front of non-mahram relatives when they visit the house for upholding kinship ties during Eids, for example...") end quote.
It is clear from the question that the questioner did not see this answer.
Naturally, the answer pertains to houses (private life) and not to public life. This is because the clothing for public life is well-known, as three matters must be fulfilled: covering the 'awrah, the absence of Tabarruj, and wearing the Shari’i Jilbab. We have previously detailed this in other answers.
Your brother, Ata Bin Khalil Abu al-Rashtah
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