Whether Muslims can show their navel depends on gender and differing interpretations of Islamic guidelines on modesty.
According to traditional Islamic views, specific guidelines exist for both men and women regarding what parts of the body should be covered (also known as awrah).
Islamic Guidelines on Covering the Body
| Gender | What Must Be Covered |
|---|---|
| Men | From the belly button to the knees. There are differing opinions on whether the navel and knees must be covered, or just the area between them. |
| Women | Traditionally, women are encouraged to cover most of their body, except for their hands and face. The specific interpretations vary among different Islamic schools of thought and cultures. |
Interpretation and Navel Exposure
- For Men: Based on the provided reference, there's a difference of opinion among Sunni Muslims regarding whether the navel needs to be covered. Some scholars believe the awrah starts at the belly button, requiring it to be covered. Others believe the awrah is only the area between the belly button and the knees, thus allowing the navel to be exposed.
- For Women: As women are generally expected to cover more of their bodies, exposing the navel is typically discouraged in traditional Islamic contexts.
