Uncovering (kashf)

Kashf in the lexicon is lifting what veils or covers a thing, and the legal sense does not depart from this ¹. Its opposite is ghita', the covering ^{1 2}.

The jurists agree that covering the 'awra is a condition of valid prayer, like purity; one who leaves it covered when able to do so has his prayer invalid or not established ².

A man in the sacred state for pilgrimage or lesser pilgrimage must uncover his head, and a woman must uncover her face; some jurists say the man must also uncover his face ².

The jurists agree that an adult of sound mind may not uncover his 'awra before others, whether the grave or the lighter part; uncovering the graver part is worse, the front and rear being the graver part by agreement, and looking at it is more forbidden ^{2 3}. Between spouses it is allowed by agreement. Necessity or need, such as treatment, cupping, circumcision, and giving testimony, is excepted, kept within the measure of the need ^{2 3}.

Some jurists hold that the 'awra may not be uncovered in privacy except for need, such as relieving oneself or cleaning oneself, on the general command to cover and because God is more worthy of shame; this is the view of most jurists. Others allow it for any small purpose, such as cooling down or keeping clothes clean while sweeping. Ibn Abidin reports a range of views on a man bathing alone: that it is disliked, that it is excusable, that it is allowed for a short time, and that it is allowed in a small bath house ³.