Ruling on Performing Salah Unclothed or in Impure Clothes
Source: Fatāwā ʿUlamāʾ Ahl al-Ḥadīth
❖ Question
What is the ruling on performing Salah unclothed or in impure clothes?
❖ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā Baʿd!
Your question consists of two parts:
① The Ruling on Wearing Clothes During Salah
◈ If one has the ability, it is obligatory to wear complete clothing during Salah.
◈ At the very least, clothing that covers the ʿawrah must be worn.
◉ For men: from the navel to the knees.
◉ For women: the entire body.
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿يَا بَنِي آَدَمَ خُذُوا زِينَتَكُمْ عِنْدَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ﴾
“O Children of Adam! Take your adornment at every masjid.”
◈ There is consensus among the scholars that if a person prays unclothed despite having the means, his prayer is invalid.
② The Ruling on Performing Salah Without Purification
◈ Purification is a condition for the validity of Salah.
Muslims must know:
➊ It is obligatory to be free from both minor and major impurity.
➋ Praying without ablution (wuḍūʾ) is invalid, whether done intentionally or out of forgetfulness.
➌ Such a prayer must be repeated.
◈ If someone does this deliberately:
➊ He commits a major sin and a grave act of disobedience.
The Way of Repentance
If one prays without purification, he must:
➊ Repent to Allah and seek forgiveness.
➋ Firmly resolve not to repeat it.
➌ Repeat the prayer that was performed without ablution.
◈ Indeed, Allah accepts the repentance of those who repent sincerely.
Conclusion
◈ Covering the ʿawrah in Salah is obligatory.
◈ Salah without purification is not valid.
◈ In both cases, the prayer becomes invalid and must be repeated.
هذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
