Ask M2M: Can a Muslimah wear heels?

This weeks question is from two sisters

Shadonna asks:
Q: I've been told we as muslimahs are not to wear our feet out is this true? Are we allowed to wear heels(pumps,wedges)?

&

Sabeera asks:
Q: I and some sisters have a question about women wearing our feet out without covering your feet? Do you have to cover your feet?

A: We do our best to answer all questions. If there is a question we don't know the answer to we will do our best to provide daleel(Quran & Hadith) to answer the question. We have found the following information.

Scholars have differed regarding the feet of the woman: are they awrah in salah, or outside salah, or both or neither?


The Prophet (saw) was asked, when he mentioned the prohibition of dragging the lower garment, about what women should do with the ends of their garments. He said, ' They should extend them a span.' Umm Salamah said, 'Then, their feet will be uncovered!' He said, ' Then, they should extend them a cubit, not exceeding that.'
[ Tirmidhi ]

As far as wearing heels for the second part of Shadonna's questions;

And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their adornments (charms, or beauty and ornaments) except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their khimar (veils) over their bosoms and not display their adornments except to their husbands, their fathers .... and that they should not strike their feet so as to draw attention to their hidden (ornaments). (24:31-32)

Part of the reasoning behind heels being haram is that they make noise, flats can also make noise depending upon how one is walking in them/what the sole is made of.
It has also been said that wearing heels is dangerous for women because we may fall, they change the way we walk (making it more enticing to men )and they can also be a form of deceit making yourself look taller.
Narrated by Abu Sa’eed Al Khudri, Allah’s Apostle said :"A Jewish woman used to put two wooden legs to lengthen her shoes, so that no one could recognise her, for she was very short.”

As for M2M, we are very tall so we don't really wear heels, but when we have, we never fell or found ourselves to be in great danger because of them. It is possible that wearing heels can make your walk more enticing but if you don't know how to walk in them it can also make you look crazy. And as far as it being a form of deceit, where do you draw the line? A sneaker will usually give you a inch of height, so is that haram as well?

What it boils down to is your intentions when and/if you wear heels or shoes with height. Are you trying to put yourself in harms way, entice men or be deceitful? If you're wearing lime green six inch heels than you are most likely doing it to seek attention. There are plenty of super cute flats that are available that can be worn in place of heels. It's best to avoid anything that is a doubtful manner. Also, remember that intentions count for a lot when it comes to certain issues.

Allahu alum(Allah knows best)




Asalaamu alaikum

Nadira & Najwa

Handheld Bidets, Instinja and the Like...

First things first... Muslimah2Muslimah had a question from a sister who is a new revert to Islam and she was wondering how to make istinja' and what to use for it... Some people use water bottles, some use a watering can, others just have a cup near their toilets. In the states, bidets are not a common thing that you see in people's homes or even out in public areas. However, there are handheld bidets that are available at Home Depot or even Walmart for a very low price. This is my personal favorite way to make istinja'. You do not have to constantly fill a container up with water every time you need to use the restroom and you can also control the water pressure. So awesome!

Now, down to the more basic stuff: What Is Istinja'???

Istinja' is performed using pure and purifying water or a solid, dry material, like a stone or paper. It is obligatory to make istinja' from every wet material emitted from the eliminatory outlets, such as urine or feces. It can be done by using water, rocks, paper and the like.

When performing istinja' by water, cleaning oneself from feces one pours the water on the outlet and rubs with one’s left hand until the najas-filth is removed. This makes the place tahir (pure).

When performing istinja' using rocks and the like (paper), if one makes instinja' using a solid, dry material, such as a rock (or paper), one wipes the outlet three times. If the three wipes are not enough to clean the area, one wipes more until the place becomes clean. One may use three wads of tissue or the like. Without using water, it is not enough to wipe less than thrice, even if the place becomes clean.

Also, it is recommended to enter the bathroom with the left foot, and to leave it with the right foot; contrary to the way you enter your home or the masjid. It is recommended (sunnah) to enter your home or the masjid with the right foot first, and to leave with the left foot.

It is recommended (sunnah) upon entering the bathroom to say:

"Bismillah. Allahumma inni a'udhu bika minal-khubuthi wal-khaba’ith."

Which means: “[I enter the bathroom] with the Name of Allah. O Allah, I
seek refuge with you from the male and female devils.” This provides protection from the eyes of the jinn.

After leaving the bathroom, it is also recommended to say:

"Ghufranak. Al-hamdu lillahi-lladhi adh-haba annil-adha wa afani."

Which means: “I ask You (Allah) for forgiveness. Praise and thanks be to the One (Allah) Who took the harm away from me and granted me good health.”

So... what do YOU use for Istinja??? Do you live in a country where bidets are common? Do you just use a water bottle? Do you use the most common one that I have seen in Muslim homes... the watering can? This is very random, I know... but interesting nonetheless! LOL.

As-Salaamu Alaikum!

Najwa & Nadira