Leading Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband has said that wearing jeans or other tight-fitting clothes is not appropriate as per religious beliefs.
In another controversial observation, it said a couple should first seek the opinion of a hakim or Unani practitioner before using contraceptives if needed for medical reasons.
In a posting on Tuesday, the seminary said wearing 'skin-tight' dresses is 'not lawful' and that clothes should be 'loose and simple'.
It gave its opinion on the issue when asked by a woman whether wearing 'skin tight' trousers and jeans were allowed as per religious beliefs.
"It is not lawful," the seminary said in its response that is posted on the 'fatwa online' section of its website. When asked if it was permitted to wear loose pajamas or jeans with a frock that stretches below the knees, accompanied by a head scarf, the scholars again replied in the negative.
"It, too, is not lawful. The dress should be loose and simple. And its style should resemble that of the dress of pious women," it said.
Another questioner had asked scholars at the seminary whether it was fine for him to use contraceptives, given the fact that his wife has been advised by doctors to avoid pregnancy due to thyroid-related complications. In response to the query posted on the website, Darul Uloom said consultation of a hakim was needed in the case.
"You should consult any religious Muslim doctor or hakim. If he advises you the same, you are allowed to adopt any temporary contraceptive measure," read the response to the query.
When asked about her opinion on the issue of contraceptive use, social activist Shabnam Hashmi said there is no logic in coming out with such statements.
"Why only health reasons, contraceptives should be used otherwise as well," she said.
"Nobody follows them (fatwas) anyway," she said, adding that such queries are often instigated by people who want to distract attention from real issues confronting the society and the minority community.
Gynaecologist Rehana Jabeen felt that such a statement coming from a leading religious seminary could be harmful for women.
"Anybody can understand that the advice of a doctor is crucial, but if you go by this fatwa, it is the advice of the hakims that is to be adhered to, which is obviously not a very logical thing to do," she said.
