Woman’s Dress and Forearm Covering in Islam

Walekumussalam,

(1) A woman must cover her whole body in front of non-mahram men. According to the majority of scholars, the forearms are also part of ‘awrah, so leaving them uncovered is not permissible.

References :

وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا (النور: 31)

“Let them not display their beauty except what is apparent.”

يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِنْ جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ (الأحزاب: 59)

“Let them draw their outer garments over themselves.”

(2) Wearing a burkha itself is not specifically mandatory, but wearing loose and modest clothing that fully covers the body is obligatory. If the forearms are exposed, they should be covered.