Does Uncovering the ‘Awrah Break Your Fast?

Praise be to Allah.

Is showing the ‘awrah haram?

Showing the `awrah in front of others for whom it is not permissible to see it is haram. It is not permissible for anyone to do that, whether in Ramadan or at any other time. It is haram to uncover the ‘awrah and it is haram to look at it. 

Bahz ibn Hakim narrated from his father that his grandfather [Mu’awiyah ibn Haydah al-Qushayri] (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I said: O Messenger of Allah, with regard to our `awrah, what may we uncover of it and what must we conceal? He said: “Cover your `awrah except from your wife and those whom your right hand possesses (i.e., concubines).” I said, O Messenger of Allah, what if a man is with another man? He said, “If you can make sure that no one sees it, then do not let anyone see it.” I said, O Messenger of Allah, what if one of us is alone? He said, “Allah is more deserving that you should feel shy before Him than people.” (Narrated and classed as hasan by al-Tirmidhi (2769); narrated by Ibn Majah (1920); classed as hasan by al-Albani in Sahih al-Tirmidhi) 

Abu Sa’id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “No man should look at the `awrah of another man, and no woman should look at the `awrah of another woman .” (Narrated by Muslim, 338) 

Al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “This shows that it is haram for a man to look at the `awrah of another man and for a woman to look at the `awrah of another woman, and there is no difference of opinion concerning that.” (Sharh Muslim, 4/30) 

But if the issue is showing the `awrah unintentionally, then there is no sin on you, and the other person has to avert his gaze and not look at it. 

Does uncovering the ‘awrah break your fast?

Fasting is not invalidated in either case – whether showing the `awrah is done deliberately or by mistake. 

For more about the effect that sin has on the fast, and that it reduces the reward, and may erase it altogether, please see this answer: 37658  

For more about what breaks the fast, please see this answer: 38023 .

For more about fasting-related issues, please see this category: Fasting.

And Allah knows best.