Women’s Attire in the Maliki Jurisprudential School

Abstract

This study examines Islamic jurisprudence on attire within the Maliki school, emphasizing clothing as a divine mandate that upholds human dignity through modesty (satr) and aesthetic enhancement. It traces the principle of covering the body to the era of Adam (peace be upon him) and explores the Maliki jurisprudential framework for defining ‘awrah (intimate parts) and permissible attire for Muslim women. Addressing contemporary societal challenges, the study employs inductive and deductive methods and comprises an introduction and three sections providing an overview of the Maliki school, analysis of ‘awrah boundaries, and conditions for Islamically compliant clothing. Key findings assert that spouses may view each other’s bodies without restriction, eliminating the concept of ‘awrah between them. Legitimate attire must be opaque, durable, non-transparent, and gender-specific to prevent imitation of the opposite gender’s dress, with violations incurring divine censure. The study underscores the necessity of adhering to these principles to navigate modern moral complexities while preserving Islamic identity.