Taken from: "Ahkam wa Masail in the Light of the Qur’an and Hadith", Volume 02
What is the ruling regarding performing salah (prayer) while bareheaded? Is it permissible for a man to offer prayer without covering his head?
✦ It is legally permissible for a man to perform salah while bareheaded.
Although the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ includes wearing a turban (ʿimāmah) or head covering (khimār), there is no binding restriction that a man must cover his head for the validity of the prayer.
A Hadith states:
"Allah does not accept the prayer of a mature woman who is not wearing a head covering."
(Sunan Abu Dawud, Kitab al-Salah)
This Hadith clearly establishes that covering the head is obligatory for women in salah. However, there is no such requirement for men. Thus, if a man performs salah while bareheaded, no objection can be raised, and it does not affect the validity of his prayer.
The Prophet ﷺ is reported to have frequently covered his head with a turban or khimār while praying. Various narrations mention that he ﷺ entered Makkah wearing a black turban, and he also performed masḥ (wiping) over his turban during ablution.
(Sahih Muslim, Sunan al-Tirmidhi)
Therefore, covering the head during salah is recommended (mustahabb) and part of the Prophetic Sunnah. While praying bareheaded is permissible, making it a habitual practice is not from the Sunnah.
① It is permissible for men to pray bareheaded, and the prayer remains valid.
② However, covering the head with a turban or khimār is from the Sunnah and preferred.
③ Making bareheaded prayer a habit is not supported by the practice of the Prophet ﷺ.
Wallāhu Aʿlam.
❀ Question:
What is the ruling regarding performing salah (prayer) while bareheaded? Is it permissible for a man to offer prayer without covering his head?
❀ Answer:
✦ It is legally permissible for a man to perform salah while bareheaded.
Although the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ includes wearing a turban (ʿimāmah) or head covering (khimār), there is no binding restriction that a man must cover his head for the validity of the prayer.
✿ A Distinction Regarding Women:
A Hadith states:
"Allah does not accept the prayer of a mature woman who is not wearing a head covering."
(Sunan Abu Dawud, Kitab al-Salah)
This Hadith clearly establishes that covering the head is obligatory for women in salah. However, there is no such requirement for men. Thus, if a man performs salah while bareheaded, no objection can be raised, and it does not affect the validity of his prayer.
✦ The Sunnah Practice:
The Prophet ﷺ is reported to have frequently covered his head with a turban or khimār while praying. Various narrations mention that he ﷺ entered Makkah wearing a black turban, and he also performed masḥ (wiping) over his turban during ablution.
(Sahih Muslim, Sunan al-Tirmidhi)
Therefore, covering the head during salah is recommended (mustahabb) and part of the Prophetic Sunnah. While praying bareheaded is permissible, making it a habitual practice is not from the Sunnah.
✔ Summary:
① It is permissible for men to pray bareheaded, and the prayer remains valid.
② However, covering the head with a turban or khimār is from the Sunnah and preferred.
③ Making bareheaded prayer a habit is not supported by the practice of the Prophet ﷺ.
Wallāhu Aʿlam.
