What is the awrah for a Muslim man?

For a Muslim man, the awrah is the area from the navel to the knee. That is what must be covered in public, in prayer and in front of other men, and nothing is restricted between husband and wife. The Hanafi school counts the knee itself, and in prayer you should also cover your shoulders.

What counts as awrah

Awrah ('awrah) is the part of the body that must be covered in front of others. It is a minimum rule, not the whole of modesty. A man's awrah is smaller than a woman's, but it is still a firm obligation.

The Prophet ﷺ passed a man whose thigh was uncovered and said, "Cover your thigh, for indeed it is awrah" (Jami at-Tirmidhi 2798). Most scholars of the Shafi'i, Hanbali and Maliki schools therefore say the awrah runs from the navel to the knee, and the Hanafis include the knee. A minority treat the thigh as a lighter awrah, pointing to a report in which the Prophet's thigh became uncovered at Khaybar (Sahih al-Bukhari 371). Most scholars still say to cover it, and doing so is the safer position.

The chest, back, arms and lower legs are not awrah, so a T-shirt and knee-length shorts meet the minimum. See What is the awrah for men in sports?

In front of men and women

The rule applies in front of men too. The Prophet ﷺ said, "A man should not see the private parts of another man" (Sahih Muslim 338). So cover up in changing rooms and at the pool. In front of women, the same minimum applies, but modesty asks for more, such as a proper shirt and trousers outside the home.

In prayer

The same area must be covered in prayer, and you should cover your shoulders too. The Prophet ﷺ said, "None of you should offer prayer in a single garment that does not cover the shoulders" (Sahih al-Bukhari 359). Most scholars say the prayer is still valid without it, but the Hanbali school is stricter. Choose a shirt long enough to cover your lower back when you bow.

With your wife and when alone

A man asked what to hide and from whom. The Prophet ﷺ replied, "Conceal your private parts except from your wife," and added that when you are alone, "Allah is more entitled than people that bashfulness should be shown to him" (Sunan Abi Dawud 4017). So there is no awrah between spouses, but even when alone you should uncover only when you need to, such as for the toilet or a bath.

Family members at home have their own details. See What should Muslim men wear around the house with family?

Quick guide

In public and in front of men: navel to knee, plus normal modest clothes.
In prayer: navel to knee and the shoulders.
With your wife: no restriction.
When alone: cover unless you need privacy for the toilet or bathing.

Key points

A man's awrah is the navel to the knee, and Hanafis include the knee.
It applies in front of men as well as women.
Cover your shoulders in prayer.
There is no awrah between husband and wife.

Tip: Sit down in front of a mirror in your usual shorts or trousers. If your knee or thigh shows when you sit, bow or reach, pick a longer cut.