Source: Ahkam wa Masail – Masail al-Salah, vol. 1, p. 98
Is it permissible for an imam to lead the prayer bareheaded?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh. Ammā ba‘d:
From ‘A’ishah (RA), narrated in Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, and Musnad Ahmad, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
«لاَ يَقْبَلُ اللَّهُ صَلاَةَ حَائِضٍ إِلَّا بِخِمَارٍ»
"Allah does not accept the prayer of a woman who has reached puberty unless she wears a head-covering."
This hadith is authentic; Shaykh al-Albani رحمه الله included it in Sahih Ibn Majah and Sahih Abi Dawud.
It clearly proves that for an adult woman, prayer is only valid if she covers her head. By contrast, for men and prepubescent girls, prayer is valid without a head-covering.
There is no evidence in Qur’an or Sunnah making it obligatory for men to cover their heads during prayer.
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿خُذُوا زِينَتَكُمْ عِندَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ﴾ (al-A‘raf: 31)
"Take your adornment at every masjid."
This verse encourages wearing proper and dignified clothing for prayer but does not specifically require a head-covering for men.
هٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
Question
Is it permissible for an imam to lead the prayer bareheaded?
Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh. Ammā ba‘d:
Hadith Evidence for Women’s Head-Covering
From ‘A’ishah (RA), narrated in Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, and Musnad Ahmad, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
«لاَ يَقْبَلُ اللَّهُ صَلاَةَ حَائِضٍ إِلَّا بِخِمَارٍ»
"Allah does not accept the prayer of a woman who has reached puberty unless she wears a head-covering."
This hadith is authentic; Shaykh al-Albani رحمه الله included it in Sahih Ibn Majah and Sahih Abi Dawud.
It clearly proves that for an adult woman, prayer is only valid if she covers her head. By contrast, for men and prepubescent girls, prayer is valid without a head-covering.
Ruling for Men and Imams
- If a man prays bareheaded, whether as imam or as an individual, the prayer is valid.
- It is not correct to argue or quarrel over this issue.
- However, covering the head in prayer reflects greater decorum and dignity; thus, it is better and more virtuous to do so.
No Obligation in Shari‘ah for Men
There is no evidence in Qur’an or Sunnah making it obligatory for men to cover their heads during prayer.
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿خُذُوا زِينَتَكُمْ عِندَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ﴾ (al-A‘raf: 31)
"Take your adornment at every masjid."
This verse encourages wearing proper and dignified clothing for prayer but does not specifically require a head-covering for men.
Conclusion
- Bareheaded imam: Valid prayer, no sin, but covering the head is better.
- Head-covering: A matter of virtue, not obligation, for men.
- Women: Obligatory to cover the head for prayer.
هٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
