Asalam-o-Alaikum, I want to ask you a question regarding clothes worn by women in Muslim women-only gatherings.

I went to a wedding and I saw some sisters and girls wearing some clothes like sleeveless, some were wearing topless (dress started from the chest area till knees or feet).

No one was allowed to use cell phones or take pictures or make videos of anyone or even of the bride, other than the lady [female photographer] who was only allowed to make a video and take pictures of the bride and her sisters and of friends who wanted to take pictures with  the bride. No one else was allowed to do that. Also the lady [photographer]  was not allowed to make videos or take pictures of the ladies who came to join the wedding. The camera was only on the bride for a short period.

All the women knew each other in the gathering. The ladies who organized the wedding were strict about the videos and pictures.

So can you tell me is it allowed to wear clothes that are topless or sleeveless, or clothes that are full but short till knee, or which are topless but long till feet or short till knee?

I know that there are different opinions: some scholars say it’s not allowed and I heard that some say it’s allowed if you know that there are restrictions to using cameras or cell phones.

There were only Muslim women; no non-mahram was there.

In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Grantor of Mercy

All praise belongs to Allah, and may prayers and peace be upon Allah’s final Messenger.

Muslim women do not need to wear hijab in front of each other. What you are describing as “topless” is not actually topless, but rather showing the shoulders and a large area of the upper chest, and that would be permissible as long as they are not seen by any men or photographed.

The awrah of an adult Muslim woman in front of other Muslim women (the parts of the body that she may show in front of them) include the arms and shoulders, the legs below the knees, the head and neck, and a considerable amount of the chest, and if she has to breastfeed, she may do that in front of her sisters without harm, but she would otherwise not show her breasts.

It is closer to piety however, that women not be extravagant and excessive in their outfits at such parties. Modesty is always good, even amongst other women. Therefore, it would be better to cover more than what is permissible to uncover.

In general, Muslims should not follow the fashions others follow. They should not wear clothes known to belong to a particular group of unbelievers.

A Muslim woman’s clothes should not be so tight as to reveal the form of the body, nor transparent and revealing the complexion. (When amongst women, then we are talking about the parts that must be covered, as indicated above.)

Allah knows best.

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