The question of whether a woman can massage another woman in Islam involves considerations rooted in the Islamic principle of modesty and the concept of 'Awrah. While the provided reference does not offer a comprehensive ruling on all types of massage between women, it clearly establishes a specific prohibition based on the unveiling of the 'Awrah.
The Prohibition Related to 'Awrah
According to the Islamic guideline referenced, there is a specific condition under which a woman is not permitted to give another woman a massage. This condition is directly linked to the necessity of uncovering the 'Awrah.
Reference Point:
A woman is not permitted to give another woman a massage that necessitates uncovering the 'Awrah, because it is forbidden to unveil the 'Awrah without a necessity or need, such as treating an illness, and while there is no other way that is free from the prohibition, to treat the illness. (03-Jan-2019)
This pivotal point from the reference highlights that the restriction centers on the exposure of the 'Awrah.
Why Uncovering 'Awrah is Restricted
In Islam, the 'Awrah refers to the parts of the body that must be covered and protected from being seen by others, except for specific individuals (like a spouse) or under specific necessary circumstances. For women in the presence of other women, the 'Awrah is generally considered to be the area between the navel and the knee. Uncovering this area without a valid, Shariah-approved reason is prohibited.
When is it Not Permitted?
Based explicitly on the provided reference, a massage between women is not permitted if it involves:
- Necessitating the uncovering of the 'Awrah.
This means that any massage technique or session that requires the exposure of the area between the navel and the knee is generally forbidden according to this ruling.
Are There Exceptions?
The reference does specify exceptions to this prohibition, but these are limited and tied to genuine necessity or need:
- Necessity or Need: An exception is made in cases of necessity or need, such as for the purpose of medical treatment for an illness.
- Lack of Alternatives: Crucially, this exception is only applicable if there is no alternative method of treatment available that would not necessitate uncovering the 'Awrah.
This indicates that even for medical purposes, uncovering the 'Awrah for a massage is only permitted as a last resort when other means of treatment are not feasible or effective.
Implications for Massage Practice
The information from the reference indicates that the permissibility of a massage between women depends heavily on whether it requires uncovering the 'Awrah.
- A massage that does not involve uncovering the 'Awrah (e.g., a neck or shoulder massage over clothing) is not addressed by this specific prohibition and would likely be permissible.
- A massage that does necessitate uncovering the 'Awrah from the navel to the knee is forbidden unless it strictly meets the conditions of necessity for medical treatment where no alternative exists.
Therefore, while the reference doesn't forbid all forms of massage between women, it places a clear and significant restriction on any practice that requires the exposure of the 'Awrah.
Practical Examples
To illustrate the application of this ruling:
- Example 1: Relaxing Foot Massage
A woman giving another woman a foot massage. This typically does not involve uncovering the 'Awrah (navel to knee). Based on the reference, this would not fall under the prohibition. - Example 2: Full Body Oil Massage Requiring Undressing
A professional massage where the client needs to undress, exposing the 'Awrah area for the massage therapist. According to the reference, this is not permitted unless it is for a necessary medical treatment and no alternative treatment method exists that avoids uncovering the 'Awrah.
Summary Table of Conditions
| Massage Scenario | Does it Uncover 'Awrah (Navel-Knee)? | Permitted? (Based on Reference) | Key Condition/Exception |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massage not requiring 'Awrah exposure | No | Implied Permitted | Reference only prohibits when 'Awrah is uncovered |
| Massage requiring 'Awrah exposure | Yes | No | Explicitly forbidden |
| Massage requiring 'Awrah exposure for need | Yes | Yes | Only for necessity (e.g., medical) AND no alternative way. |
Based on the provided information, the answer to the question is conditional, primarily depending on whether the massage necessitates uncovering the 'Awrah. Any such massage is prohibited unless it meets the strict criteria of medical necessity with no alternative.
