Q. In Islam, are men allowed to wear shorts?
Q. Can female athletics wear shorts?
Q. what is Awrah, I hear it all the time?

Answer: Allah subhanahu wa ta’aala sates in the quran:

?????????? ??????? ???? ?????????? ?????????? ????????? ???????? ????????????? ??????????? ????????? ??????????? ??????? ????????? ??????? ???? ????????? ??????? ??????????? ?????????????

O children of Adam! We have indeed sent down to you clothing to cover your shame, as well as adornment for you, but the clothing of restraint (and clothing of honor and piety and safeguarding) from evil, that is best. This is of the signs of Allah that they may receive admonition.

(7:26)

Islam is a religion that takes modesty seriously. Modesty is not limited to, but included within, the sphere of language, verbal and non-verbal gestures and interactions, dress code, presentation of self, etc.

Concerning individuals that choose to wear shorts, if one is wearing it as an undergarment, or beneath ones modest clothing, Islam would not detest such apparel. On the reverse, if shorts worn to expose the thighs, more so in public, then such an action would be abhorrent and lacking the profundity of Islamic dress code and culture. According the Hadith below, such a public manifestation would thus be forbidden.

Noting the above, there comes the concept of awrah. Awrah refers to the covering of ones body as defined by religion. For woman, a simple definition of covering the awrah would include the covering of hair and the entire body in a manner that does not expose the body or its shape. For men, the awrah would include being covered from the navel to the knee while not displaying parts of the body.

Should one wish to redefine the parameters of the awrah and temptation overcomes one to display portions of their lower satar (parts intended for concealment regarding the body), then the following ahadith help clarify if doing so would be appropriate or not.

A Companion of Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) stated that Rasulullah (SAW) sat with us and my thigh was uncovered (exposed). Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: Do you not know that thigh is a private part (and things are private must not be exposed.)

Abu Dawood Book 31, Number 4003

Sayyidina Ali ibn Abi Talib narrates that Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: Do not uncover your thighs, and do not look at the thighs of the living and the dead.

Abu Dawood Book 31, Number 4004

Thus, indicating to wear clothing that exposes oneself or to look intentionally at those that expose themselves is wrong.

Sayyidina Mu’awiyah: reports:

I (radiAllahu anh) said: O Prophet of Allah, from whom should we conceal our private parts and to whom can we show? Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) replied: conceal your private parts except from your wife and from whom your right hands possess. (Right hand refers to those who Shari’a allows you to be intimate with.)

I (radiAllahu anh) then asked: O Rasool of Allah, (what should we do), if the people are assembled together?

Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) replied: If it is within your power that no one looks at it, then no one should look at it.

I (radiAllahu anh) then asked: O Messenger of Allah if one of us is alone, (what should he do)?

He (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) replied: Allah is more entitled than people that bashfulness should be shown to him.

Abu Dawood Book 31, Number 4006

This Hadith indicates modesty on every level, be in the form of clothing one wears, mannerisms, etc.

Noting these ahadith make clear that the thigh area is awrah, and having defined it as such, the following Hadith makes clear who and what we can and cannot view with interacting with people, and indicates the amount of care that should be taken in such interactions. For example:

Sayyidina Sa’id al-Khudri reports that Rasulullah (SAW) said: A man should not look at the private parts of another man, and a woman should not look at the private parts of another woman. A man should not lie with another man without wearing lower garment under one cover; and a woman should not be lie with another woman without wearing lower garment under one cover.

Abu Dawood Book 31, Number 4007

All of the above indicates that Islam is about modesty. We should be cautious regarding the manner in which we present ourselves in private and public domains.

Allah certainly knows best.