What constitutes the *awrah* (intimate parts) between two men?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Marriage
Primary text
There are two narrations regarding the limit of what constitutes *awrah* between two men. The first narration states that it is the area between the navel and the knee. The second narration states that it is the two private parts (*al-farjān*). These rulings are the same whether the man has a beard or is beardless (*amrad*). Evidence for the general permissibility of looking at what is not *awrah* is derived from the inherent nature of interpersonal viewing, established in the rulings of the Book of Prayer.
Supporting text
If a beardless young man (*amrad*) is beautiful and there is fear of temptation (*fitnah*) from looking at him, intentionally looking at him is not permissible. It is narrated that when the delegation of Abd al-Qays came to the Prophet (peace be upon him), there was a handsome, beardless youth among them, whom the Prophet placed behind his back. Furthermore, Imam Ahmad advised a man whose handsome nephew accompanied him that the youth should not accompany him when visiting Ahmad, instructing that the nephew should not walk with him on any road due to the perceived temptation.