Source: Fatāwā Muḥammadīyah, Vol. 1, p. 374
Nowadays many worshippers remove their turban, cap, or scarf and pray bareheaded, even considering it a Sunnah. What is the ruling on this practice?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd:
«إِحْفَظْ عَوْرَتَكَ إِلَّا مِنْ زَوْجَتِكَ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ يَمِينُكَ»
(Fatāwā Ahl al-Ḥadīth, 2/76)
Translation: “Guard your private parts except from your wife or what your right hand possesses.”
Thus, exposing the ʿawrah invalidates prayer, but the head is not part of the ʿawrah by consensus.
Some cite the aḥādīth about the Prophet ﷺ and companions praying in a single garment to argue that the head was uncovered.
For example:
The Prophet ﷺ prayed in a single garment, placing one end over his shoulder.
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 1/52)
This narration is also reported from many companions.
The Prophet ﷺ asked:
“Does every one of you own two garments?” (Bukhārī, 1/52)
Sahl ibn Saʿd رضي الله عنه said:
“I saw men praying behind the Prophet ﷺ with their garments tied around their necks due to lack of clothing.”
(ʿAwn al-Maʿbūd, 1/241)
Imām ʿUbaydullāh al-Mubārakpūrī رحمه الله explained:
“At times the Prophet ﷺ and his companions prayed in one garment due to lack of another; at other times, even with another garment available, to show permissibility.”
(Mirʿāt al-Mafātīḥ, 1/505)
هٰذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
Question:
Nowadays many worshippers remove their turban, cap, or scarf and pray bareheaded, even considering it a Sunnah. What is the ruling on this practice?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd:
① Covering the ʿAwrah
- Covering the private parts (ʿawrah) is obligatory in prayer.
- If they remain exposed, the prayer is invalid.
- The Prophet ﷺ said:
«إِحْفَظْ عَوْرَتَكَ إِلَّا مِنْ زَوْجَتِكَ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ يَمِينُكَ»
(Fatāwā Ahl al-Ḥadīth, 2/76)
Translation: “Guard your private parts except from your wife or what your right hand possesses.”
- Scholars agree that covering the ʿawrah is obligatory at all times, except in cases of necessity such as relieving oneself or marital intimacy. (Nayl al-Awṭār, 2/68)
Thus, exposing the ʿawrah invalidates prayer, but the head is not part of the ʿawrah by consensus.
② Bareheaded Prayer
- Since the head is not included in the ʿawrah, praying bareheaded is valid.
- Just as prayer is valid with one’s legs, stomach, or back uncovered, similarly it is valid without a head covering.
③ Evidence Cited by Some Scholars
Some cite the aḥādīth about the Prophet ﷺ and companions praying in a single garment to argue that the head was uncovered.
For example:
The Prophet ﷺ prayed in a single garment, placing one end over his shoulder.
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 1/52)
This narration is also reported from many companions.
④ Clarification of This Evidence
- A single garment could still cover the head if wrapped properly.
- The reports actually reflect poverty and shortage of clothing in that era.
The Prophet ﷺ asked:
“Does every one of you own two garments?” (Bukhārī, 1/52)
Sahl ibn Saʿd رضي الله عنه said:
“I saw men praying behind the Prophet ﷺ with their garments tied around their necks due to lack of clothing.”
(ʿAwn al-Maʿbūd, 1/241)
Imām ʿUbaydullāh al-Mubārakpūrī رحمه الله explained:
“At times the Prophet ﷺ and his companions prayed in one garment due to lack of another; at other times, even with another garment available, to show permissibility.”
(Mirʿāt al-Mafātīḥ, 1/505)
⑤ Conclusion
- Praying bareheaded is permissible and the prayer is valid.
- However, it cannot be considered a Sunnah, nor a recommended practice, but simply a matter of allowance.
هٰذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
