Fatwa by: Shaykh Muhammad bin Salih al-Uthaymeen (حفظه الله)
Question:
A woman wears such clothing for performing Salah that is known as men’s attire. Is her Salah valid in such clothing? Does this fall under the category of resembling men?
Answer:
Such clothing, which is known as men’s attire, is absolutely prohibited for a woman to wear in any circumstance—whether she wears it during Salah or in general. This is because the Prophet ﷺ cursed men and women who imitate each other. Therefore, it is not permissible for any woman to wear clothing that is specifically designated for men, nor is it permissible for a man to wear clothing that is specifically designated for women.
However, it is important to understand what is meant by specificity. Specificity is not determined solely by color; rather, it is a combination of color and style. Therefore, it is permissible for a woman to wear white clothing as long as its cut and style are not like men’s clothing.
Once it has been established that wearing clothing specific to men is prohibited for women, some scholars hold the opinion that a woman’s Salah in such clothing is invalid. These scholars stipulate that the covering garment (sāṭir) must also be permissible. Their argument is that concealing the required parts of the body (ʿawrah) is a condition for Salah, and it is necessary that the garment covering these parts be one that Allah (ﷻ) has permitted. If Allah has not permitted it, it is not considered a valid covering according to Islamic law.
On the other hand, some scholars believe that although it is sinful, the Salah itself is still valid. Their reasoning is that the covering (satr) has been fulfilled regardless, and the sin is a separate matter that does not affect the Salah directly.
In any case, a person who performs Salah while wearing prohibited clothing risks having their Salah rejected and being deprived of the honor of acceptance.
May Allah grant us all the ability to observe the correct teachings of Islam and protect us from actions that resemble those whom we are not meant to resemble. آمين
Question:
A woman wears such clothing for performing Salah that is known as men’s attire. Is her Salah valid in such clothing? Does this fall under the category of resembling men?
Answer:
Such clothing, which is known as men’s attire, is absolutely prohibited for a woman to wear in any circumstance—whether she wears it during Salah or in general. This is because the Prophet ﷺ cursed men and women who imitate each other. Therefore, it is not permissible for any woman to wear clothing that is specifically designated for men, nor is it permissible for a man to wear clothing that is specifically designated for women.
However, it is important to understand what is meant by specificity. Specificity is not determined solely by color; rather, it is a combination of color and style. Therefore, it is permissible for a woman to wear white clothing as long as its cut and style are not like men’s clothing.
Once it has been established that wearing clothing specific to men is prohibited for women, some scholars hold the opinion that a woman’s Salah in such clothing is invalid. These scholars stipulate that the covering garment (sāṭir) must also be permissible. Their argument is that concealing the required parts of the body (ʿawrah) is a condition for Salah, and it is necessary that the garment covering these parts be one that Allah (ﷻ) has permitted. If Allah has not permitted it, it is not considered a valid covering according to Islamic law.
On the other hand, some scholars believe that although it is sinful, the Salah itself is still valid. Their reasoning is that the covering (satr) has been fulfilled regardless, and the sin is a separate matter that does not affect the Salah directly.
In any case, a person who performs Salah while wearing prohibited clothing risks having their Salah rejected and being deprived of the honor of acceptance.
May Allah grant us all the ability to observe the correct teachings of Islam and protect us from actions that resemble those whom we are not meant to resemble. آمين
