Author: Hafiz Zubair Ali Zai
Narrated by Abu Huraira:
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "None of you should pray in a single garment that does not cover his shoulders."
[Sahih Bukhari: 52/1 Hadith 359, Sahih Muslim: 198/1 Hadith 516]
Some people consider it mandatory for men to cover their heads during prayer, but there is no evidence for this in Sharia. The narration in Shama'il al-Tirmidhi [p. 71, in our copy p. 4, Hadith: 33, 125] which states:
"The Prophet (peace be upon him) often covered his head with a cloth,"
is weak due to Yazid bin Aban al-Raqashi. For criticism of Yazid, see Tahdhib al-Tahdhib [Vol. 11, p. 270] and other references.
◈ Imam al-Nasai (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "Abandoned Basri"
[Kitab al-Du'afa: 642]
◈ Hafiz al-Haythami (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
"And Yazid al-Raqashi is weak according to the majority"
[Majma al-Zawa'id 226/6]
In Taqrib al-Tahdhib [7683], it is written: "Ascetic, weak."
In the respected books of the Deobandis and Barelvis, "Dur Mukhtar," it is written that if a person prays with an uncovered head out of humility, it is permissible.
[Al-Dur al-Mukhtar with Radd al-Mukhtar 474/1]
◈ Now observe a Deobandi fatwa:
"Question: It is written in a book that if a person prays with an uncovered head with the intention of humility in the presence of God, there is no harm."
Answer: It is also written in the books of Fiqh that praying with an uncovered head with the mentioned intention is not disliked."
[Fatawa Darul Uloom Deoband 94/4]
◈ Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi wrote:
"If they pray with an uncovered head with the intention of humility, there is no harm."
[Ahkam-e-Shariat Part 1, p. 130]
Some mosques place great emphasis on covering the head during prayer, which is why they have straw caps available. Such caps should not be worn as they lack dignity and respect. Would any sensible person wear such a cap to a formal gathering? Certainly not, so special care should be taken regarding dress when presenting oneself before Allah. Moreover, if covering the head is considered a Sunnah and its absence renders the prayer incomplete, then keeping a beard is even more necessary and obligatory. Did the Prophet (peace be upon him) ever pray without a beard? May Allah grant us the understanding of religion and adherence to the Sunnah.
Note:
According to my research, praying with an uncovered head when necessary is permissible, but it is better and more virtuous to have a cap, turban, or cloth on the head.
Nafi' Tabi'i saw Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) praying in a single garment and said: "Did I not give you two garments? ... Would you go out in this condition if I sent you?" Nafi' said: "No." Abdullah bin Umar said:
"Is not Allah more deserving of being adorned for? Or are people more deserving?"
Then he narrated a Hadith to Nafi' which establishes the order to pray in two garments.
[Al-Sunan al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi, summarized 236/2, its chain is authentic]
Narrated by Abu Huraira:
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "None of you should pray in a single garment that does not cover his shoulders."
[Sahih Bukhari: 52/1 Hadith 359, Sahih Muslim: 198/1 Hadith 516]
Benefits:
From this Hadith, it is understood that covering the shoulders in prayer is obligatory.Some people consider it mandatory for men to cover their heads during prayer, but there is no evidence for this in Sharia. The narration in Shama'il al-Tirmidhi [p. 71, in our copy p. 4, Hadith: 33, 125] which states:
"The Prophet (peace be upon him) often covered his head with a cloth,"
is weak due to Yazid bin Aban al-Raqashi. For criticism of Yazid, see Tahdhib al-Tahdhib [Vol. 11, p. 270] and other references.
◈ Imam al-Nasai (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "Abandoned Basri"
[Kitab al-Du'afa: 642]
◈ Hafiz al-Haythami (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
"And Yazid al-Raqashi is weak according to the majority"
[Majma al-Zawa'id 226/6]
In Taqrib al-Tahdhib [7683], it is written: "Ascetic, weak."
In the respected books of the Deobandis and Barelvis, "Dur Mukhtar," it is written that if a person prays with an uncovered head out of humility, it is permissible.
[Al-Dur al-Mukhtar with Radd al-Mukhtar 474/1]
◈ Now observe a Deobandi fatwa:
"Question: It is written in a book that if a person prays with an uncovered head with the intention of humility in the presence of God, there is no harm."
Answer: It is also written in the books of Fiqh that praying with an uncovered head with the mentioned intention is not disliked."
[Fatawa Darul Uloom Deoband 94/4]
◈ Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi wrote:
"If they pray with an uncovered head with the intention of humility, there is no harm."
[Ahkam-e-Shariat Part 1, p. 130]
Some mosques place great emphasis on covering the head during prayer, which is why they have straw caps available. Such caps should not be worn as they lack dignity and respect. Would any sensible person wear such a cap to a formal gathering? Certainly not, so special care should be taken regarding dress when presenting oneself before Allah. Moreover, if covering the head is considered a Sunnah and its absence renders the prayer incomplete, then keeping a beard is even more necessary and obligatory. Did the Prophet (peace be upon him) ever pray without a beard? May Allah grant us the understanding of religion and adherence to the Sunnah.
Note:
According to my research, praying with an uncovered head when necessary is permissible, but it is better and more virtuous to have a cap, turban, or cloth on the head.
Nafi' Tabi'i saw Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) praying in a single garment and said: "Did I not give you two garments? ... Would you go out in this condition if I sent you?" Nafi' said: "No." Abdullah bin Umar said:
"Is not Allah more deserving of being adorned for? Or are people more deserving?"
Then he narrated a Hadith to Nafi' which establishes the order to pray in two garments.
[Al-Sunan al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi, summarized 236/2, its chain is authentic]