Awrat
/ˈɔː.ræt/noun
In Islamic jurisprudence, the parts of the body that must be covered according to religious rules.
Did you know?Awrat comes from an Arabic root associated with vulnerability, defect, and exposure—not originally from a neutral word for clothing or modesty.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
ʕ-w-r
“To be defective, exposed, or vulnerable; a reconstructed Semitic root”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
ʿawra
“A defect, vulnerable point, exposed private part, or something considered shameful to reveal”
7th Century
Arabic
ʿawra(t)
“The parts of the body required to be concealed under Islamic religious law”
Medieval Period
Persian/Urdu
ʿaurat / aurat
“A woman or the female body; later also used for a woman’s private parts in some usage”
Modern English
English
awrat
“A scholarly and religious transliteration for the body parts that Islamic rules require to be covered”