Taken from: Fatawa Arkan al-Islam
Is the prayer of those valid who wear such thin clothing that their body is visible, and underneath they wear short shorts that only cover half the thigh while the rest remains exposed?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
The ruling for such individuals is the same as for someone who performs Salah wearing only short shorts while the rest of the body is uncovered, because:
❀ Thin clothing through which the body is visible does not fulfill the requirements of Shari‘ah covering (satr).
❀ If a garment does not conceal the body, then in the eyes of Shari‘ah it is the same as not wearing anything.
❀ Therefore, according to the scholars, Salah in such clothing is invalid.
Imām Aḥmad’s well-known position in this matter is:
❀ For men, it is obligatory in Salah to cover the area from the navel to the knees completely.
This is also supported by the verse of the Qur’an:
﴿يـبَنى ءادَمَ خُذوا زينَتَكُم عِندَ كُلِّ مَسجِدٍ﴾
(Sūrat al-Aʿrāf: 31)
"O children of Adam! Take your adornment at every mosque."
① Wear shorts that completely cover the area from the navel to the knees.
② Or wear thick, non-transparent clothing over the shorts so the body is not visible.
❀ The practice described in the question is wrong and dangerous.
❀ Such individuals should repent to Allah ﷻ.
❀ Full Shari‘ah-compliant covering during Salah is obligatory.
We ask Allah ﷻ to grant us and all our Muslim brothers guidance, success, and the ability to perform deeds that please Him.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
Question:
Is the prayer of those valid who wear such thin clothing that their body is visible, and underneath they wear short shorts that only cover half the thigh while the rest remains exposed?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
The ruling for such individuals is the same as for someone who performs Salah wearing only short shorts while the rest of the body is uncovered, because:
❀ Thin clothing through which the body is visible does not fulfill the requirements of Shari‘ah covering (satr).
❀ If a garment does not conceal the body, then in the eyes of Shari‘ah it is the same as not wearing anything.
❀ Therefore, according to the scholars, Salah in such clothing is invalid.
Statement of Imām Aḥmad (رحمه الله):
Imām Aḥmad’s well-known position in this matter is:
❀ For men, it is obligatory in Salah to cover the area from the navel to the knees completely.
This is also supported by the verse of the Qur’an:
﴿يـبَنى ءادَمَ خُذوا زينَتَكُم عِندَ كُلِّ مَسجِدٍ﴾
(Sūrat al-Aʿrāf: 31)
"O children of Adam! Take your adornment at every mosque."
Two Necessary Steps for Such Individuals:
① Wear shorts that completely cover the area from the navel to the knees.
② Or wear thick, non-transparent clothing over the shorts so the body is not visible.
The Error in the Current Practice:
❀ The practice described in the question is wrong and dangerous.
❀ Such individuals should repent to Allah ﷻ.
❀ Full Shari‘ah-compliant covering during Salah is obligatory.
Supplication:
We ask Allah ﷻ to grant us and all our Muslim brothers guidance, success, and the ability to perform deeds that please Him.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
