Is it permissible for my wife to go to the public baths in Ramadaan? Please note that the bathroom in our house is very small and she is pregnant and is afraid of become ill because it is cold.


Praise be to Allaah.

If she can enter the bathroom in the house and heat the
water, then it is not permissible for her to go to the public baths.
Al-Tirmidhi (2801) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever believes in Allaah and the Last Day, his
wife should not enter the public baths.” Classed as hasan by al-Albaani in
Saheeh al-Tirmidhi. 

And al-Tirmidhi narrated that some women from Homs or Syria
entered upon ‘Aa’ishah and she said: Are you the ones whose womenfolk go to
the public baths? I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him) say: “There is no woman who takes off her garments
anywhere but in the house of her husband, but she has torn the veil that is
between her and her Lord.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh
al-Tirmidhi. 

But if she cannot bathe in the house, then it is permissible
for her to go to the public baths as a matter of necessity, but she must be
careful and keep herself covered. 

Shaykh al-Islam [Ibn Taymiyah] said: The scholars said: A
concession is granted to women allowing them to go to the public baths in
cases of need just as it is granted to men, so long as they lower their gaze
and guard their chastity. This also applies to women who are sick or
bleeding following childbirth, or who have to do ghusl and cannot do it
anywhere except in the public baths. End quote from Majmoo’ al-Fataawa
(15/380). 

He also said: As for women, they may enter (the public baths)
in cases of necessity so long as they cover their ‘awrahs. End quote from
Majmoo’ al-Fataawa (21/342). 

And Allaah knows best.