Taken from: "Ahkam wa Masail in the Light of the Qur’an and Hadith", Volume 02
Can an imam lead the congregational prayer while bareheaded? It is often observed that if the imam does not have a cap or cloth, he borrows one from a follower to lead the prayer. Please clarify this matter.
✦ It is legally permissible for an imam to lead the prayer while bareheaded, and this does not affect the validity of the prayer in any way. If the imam does not have a cap or head covering, he may still lead the congregational prayer.
However, according to the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, covering the head is recommended (mustahabb) for men under normal circumstances. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ frequently wore a turban, indicating that covering the head during prayer and daily life is preferred and virtuous.
It must be noted that for women, covering the head is a condition for the acceptance of prayer, as the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"Allah does not accept the prayer of an adult woman without a head covering."
(Sunan Abu Dawud, Bāb al-Mar’ah Tuṣalli Bi Ghayr Khimār)
① An imam may lead the prayer without covering his head, and this does not affect the validity of the prayer.
② However, it is Sunnah and preferred for a man to cover his head with a turban or cap during prayer.
③ For women, head covering is obligatory for the prayer to be valid.
Wallāhu Aʿlam.
❀ Question:
Can an imam lead the congregational prayer while bareheaded? It is often observed that if the imam does not have a cap or cloth, he borrows one from a follower to lead the prayer. Please clarify this matter.
❀ Answer:
✦ It is legally permissible for an imam to lead the prayer while bareheaded, and this does not affect the validity of the prayer in any way. If the imam does not have a cap or head covering, he may still lead the congregational prayer.
However, according to the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, covering the head is recommended (mustahabb) for men under normal circumstances. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ frequently wore a turban, indicating that covering the head during prayer and daily life is preferred and virtuous.
✿ A Distinction Regarding Women:
It must be noted that for women, covering the head is a condition for the acceptance of prayer, as the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"Allah does not accept the prayer of an adult woman without a head covering."
(Sunan Abu Dawud, Bāb al-Mar’ah Tuṣalli Bi Ghayr Khimār)
✔ Summary:
① An imam may lead the prayer without covering his head, and this does not affect the validity of the prayer.
② However, it is Sunnah and preferred for a man to cover his head with a turban or cap during prayer.
③ For women, head covering is obligatory for the prayer to be valid.
Wallāhu Aʿlam.
