❖ Cleanliness and Purity of the Garments
For the validity of prayer, it is obligatory that the clothing, body, and place of prayer be free from any impurity (najāsah).
Sayyiduna Mu‘awiyah رضي الله عنه narrated:
“I asked Umm Habibah رضي الله عنها: Did the Prophet ﷺ offer Salah in the garment he used for intimacy?”
She replied: “Yes, if there was no impurity on it.”
(Abu Dawud: 666; Ibn Majah: 405)
Sayyiduna Jabir رضي الله عنه narrated:
A man asked the Prophet ﷺ: “Can I pray in the same garment in which I slept with my wife?”
He ﷺ said: “Yes, and if you notice any impurity on it, then wash it.”
(Ibn Majah: 245)
✿ Conclusion: The purity of clothing is mandatory for the validity of Salah.
❖ Men's Clothing in Salah
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Let none of you pray in a single garment that does not cover his shoulders.”
(Bukhari: 359; Muslim: 516)
✿ Note:
Covering the shoulders is mandatory for men, but covering the head is not obligatory.
However, it is recommended as an act of dignified adornment (zīnah).
Exposing the Shoulders in Ihram
If someone offers prayer while intentionally leaving the shoulders uncovered in the state of Ihram, despite being able to cover them, then his Salah is not valid.
❖ Covering the Thigh
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Cover your thigh, for the thigh is part of the ‘awrah (private parts).”
(Tirmidhi: 2797)
Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما narrated:
“The thigh is ‘awrah.”
(Tirmidhi: 2798)
✔ Men must ensure their thighs are fully covered during prayer.
❖ Offering Salah with a Single Garment
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“If one has only a single garment and it is wide, then wrap it around yourself covering the shoulders. If it is tight, then wear it as an izār (waist wrap).”
(Bukhari: 361; Muslim: 516)
Sayyiduna ‘Umar ibn Abi Salamah رضي الله عنه said:
“I saw the Prophet ﷺ praying in the house of Umm Salamah رضي الله عنها wrapped in one garment.”
(Bukhari: 354; Muslim: 515)
Sayyiduna Sahl رضي الله عنه narrated:
“The Companions used to pray with the Prophet ﷺ wearing their waist wraps around their necks. Women were told not to raise their heads from sujood until the men sat up.”
(Bukhari: 365; Muslim: 441)
❖ Following the Sunnah in Clothing
Muhammad ibn al-Munkadir رحمه الله reported:
“I came to Jabir رضي الله عنه while he was praying wrapped in one garment though another sheet lay nearby.”
He said: “I saw the Prophet ﷺ pray like this. I did it so ignorant people like you may see and learn.”
(Bukhari: 373; Muslim: 3008)
❖ If One Has Extra Clothes
Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported:
A man asked, “Is it permissible to pray in a single garment?”
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Do all of you have two garments?”
Later, when Sayyiduna ‘Umar رضي الله عنه was asked the same, he said: “When Allah has blessed you with abundance, dress accordingly.”
(Bukhari: 361; Muslim: 516)
Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنهما narrated:
“When you pray, wear both garments, for Allah is more deserving that you adorn yourself before Him.”
(Silsilah al-Aḥādīth al-Ṣaḥīḥah by Al-Albani: 1369)
❖ Head Covering for Men in Salah
According to Dar al-Ifta (Saudi Arabia):
- Covering the head is not obligatory for men in Salah.
- But doing so as an act of adornment (zīnah) is commendable:
“O children of Adam, take your adornment at every masjid (prayer time).”
(Al-A‘rāf: 31
❖ Women’s Clothing in Salah
The female Companions used to perform Fajr Salah wrapped in shawls with the Prophet ﷺ.
(Bukhari: 365; Muslim: 646)
Sayyidah ‘A’ishah رضي الله عنها narrated:
“The prayer of a mature woman is not accepted unless she wears a khimār (head covering).”
(Abu Dawud: 641; authenticated by Ibn Khuzaymah and Ibn Hibban)
✿ Conclusion:
A woman’s entire body is ‘awrah in prayer except her face and hands.
Her prayer is invalid if any part like the head, legs, or arms is exposed.
Shaykh Ibn Baz رحمه الله said:
“It is obligatory that both men and women cover their ‘awrah during Salah. If the garment is thin and reveals the body, the Salah is invalid.”
(Fatawa Islamiyyah 1/378)
❖ Praying on a Mat
Sayyidah Maymunah رضي الله عنها narrated:
“The Prophet ﷺ prayed on a mat.”
(Bukhari: 377; Muslim: 513)
❖ Prostrating on a Cloth
Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik رضي الله عنه said:
“In hot weather, we used to spread a cloth on the ground to prostrate on.”
(Bukhari: 382; Muslim: 620)
❖ Praying with Shoes and Socks On
The Prophet ﷺ sometimes prayed barefoot and sometimes with shoes.
(Abu Dawud: 652; Ibn Majah: 1038 – Mutawatir as per Al-Tahawi)
He ﷺ said:
“Oppose the Jews; they do not pray in shoes or socks.”
(Abu Dawud: 652; authenticated by Al-Hakim and Al-Dhahabi)
Sayyiduna Abu Sa‘id Al-Khudri رضي الله عنه narrated:
The Prophet ﷺ took off his shoes during prayer. The Companions did the same.
He said after the prayer:
“Jibreel informed me that there was impurity in my shoes. Check your shoes before entering the masjid. If they’re dirty, rub them on the ground to clean and then pray in them.”
(Abu Dawud: 650; authenticated by Al-Hakim, Al-Dhahabi, and Imam Nawawi)
✿ Note:
In modern masjids with carpets, those who wish to pray in shoes must ensure complete cleanliness. Otherwise, shoes should be removed respectfully.
✔ If impurity is discovered after prayer, the prayer remains valid.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“When you pray, do not place your shoes to your right or left, as your neighbor’s spot lies there. Rather, place them between your feet.”
(Abu Dawud: 653, 654; authenticated by Al-Hakim, Al-Dhahabi, and Nawawi)
❖ Folding Hair or Garments in Salah
Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Abbas رضي الله عنهما said:
“The Prophet ﷺ was commanded to prostrate on seven bones and not to fold his hair or garments.”
(Muslim: 490)
He saw Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Harith رضي الله عنه praying with his hair tied and untied it:
“I heard the Prophet ﷺ say: The one who prays like this is as though his hands are tied.”
(Muslim: 492)
