QUESTION : I would like to know if Muslim women have to wear hijab during prayers at home? The purpose of hijab is to cover my body in front of men. When I’m at home by myself, I don’t see the need to wear hijabs during salah because there are no men around. Someone told me that this is incorrect. Can you please clarify?
ANSWER : Yes, we do have to wear hijab during salah — even if we are praying at home alone. Allah says in verse 7:31 : “O Children of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer…”
From that ayah, it is clear that we must wear our apparel no matter where or when we are performing salah. And of course when it comes to Muslim women, our apparel is hijab as described in the Qur’an and sound hadiths.
Allah knows best. Please don’t hesitate to correct me if I’m wrong.
Have a question about hijab? Send it to welovehijab@yahoo.com and I will try to answer it for you, inshaAllah.
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35 comments… read them below or add one
Hijab is not only worn to cover up from men but it is also an expression of modesty; wearing Hijab during prayer is being modest infront of Allah.
Salaam Aleykum,
If we show humility toward mankind, why not show it to our Creator? I think it is even more so important to be fully and apropriately covered ifnront of Allah during prayer, and show respect onto HIM, by following His command, then doing it for a wordly purpose. Hijab is not just something to cover yourself because men are around, its in part also to benefit the woman herself. To guard herself and to practice hayah and increase her taqwa in Allah.
Allahu ‘Alem,,, but that is just what I belive should come out of it.
Salams,
From my understanding, we wear hijab first and foremost because allah asked us to. Yes there are other reason like modesy and protection from men but the the main reason is because Allah commanded us 2, and Allah knows whats best for us. So when we pray to him its out of respect to him that we pray with hijab because we are following his order. However you could always check the sunnah of the prophet for reference to see if the prophet’s wives and companions used 2 do that or for furthermore explanation.
And again Allah knows best.
Amany. K
very good info! i was having the same dilama
*dilemma* sorry! typo!
Good answer!
At the risk of sounding like a troll, I have to disagree. All I see in that ayah is a command that we not pray naked or in rags, but that we wear decent items out of our wardrobe. I have plenty of “my clothing” that is the “best” that I own that doesn’t cover every strand of hair or go down to my wrists, toes, etc.
The command about hijab is to draw our khimars over ourselves so we will be recognized and not harassed. No one is going to harass me if I’m alone in my room. Allah SWT already knows what I look like, I don’t have to hide myself from Allah,as long as I wear something nice like it says in the above surah I should iA be fulfilling all Qur’anic salah obligation.
It depends on from what Islamic sources you use to base the practice of your deen. Interestingly=even sisters who debate the wearing of a khimar in everyday life-cover their heads during prayers based on the evidence in the Qur’an and hadith that support the idea that the awra most be covered during prayer.
Some sources:
“O children of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel (zeenah) at every time and place of prayer.”? (Surah al-A’raf, 31)
The majority of the Companions (Allah be pleased with them all), their followers (tabi’un), Jurists and exegetes of the Qur’an have deduced from this verse (along with the other evidences) the obligation of covering one’s Awra in prayer. (See: Abu Bakr ibn al-Arabi, Ahkam al-Qur’an, 4/205, Ma’arif al-Qur’an (English), 3/565)
In hadith:
Aisha (Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “Allah does not accept the prayer of a woman who experiences menstruation except with a head cover (khimar).”? (Sunan Abu Dawud, no. 641, Sunan Tirmidhi, Sunan Ibn Majah and others)
The great Hanafi jurist, Imam al-Haskafi (Allah have mercy on him) stated in Durr al-Mukhtar:
“The Awra for a free woman (i.e. not a slave, m) is her full body including her descending hair according to the correct opinion, except for the face, hands…. and feet.”
Unveiled woman is as an assault to an angel’s modesty (pudeur).Angels of God are not supposed to enjoy beauty of women. So they won’t come close during namaz if woman is not covered properly.
Ibn Ishaq recorded:
One day, Prophet was sitting with Khadijah, and he said, “Khadijah, the spirit came!” She said, “Come, and sit on my right side.” So, he sat on her right side. She said, “Mohammed, do you see the spirit?” He said, “Yes.” She said, “Then sit on my left side.” So, he switched and he sat on her left side. “Do you see the spirit?”Khadijah asked. “Yes,” Mohammed answered. “Then sit on my lap.” He sits on her lap. “Do you still see the spirit?” “Yes,” Mohammed answered. Then she dropped her hair down . And then she said, “Do you see the spirit?” He said, “No.” She said,”That spirit is good because when i opened my hair, he got shyed and left because Angels of God are not supposed to enjoy beauty of women. You are the prophet of Allah.”
I agree with Samira. In this part of the world (Indonesia), even women who dont wear khimars cover up during prayer. Designing prayer clothes is a business in itself.
Salam Alaikum!
Does anyone have any references as to whether or not feet should be covered during prayer and being around non-mahram? This is always a debate between some other sisters/brothers I know.
Asalamualkauim! I heard about this once and it has stuck with me. Think about when you go to an interview for a job. Would you arrive in a track suit or ripped jeans? No, you would dress business casual in a professional manner. Now, think about prayer. This is the time where you are directly communicating with Allah. Therefore, we should clean up (wudu) and cover up (hijab) in respect for him (like our “interview”, there is a proper dress). Of course, it is stated in the Holy Quran as previously mentioned, so that should be justified enough! Allah knows best.
I agree with Samira as well. When I was taught to pray, I was always taught to make wudu and wear hijab. I pray mostly in my house and even if I am around the house, not wearing hijab, when the athan sounds, I make wudu and wear hijab and then pray.
I would suggest to any sister to wear hijab when praying, I am not sure if the prayer is accepted otherwise. . .
yes…they do…
It’s as easy as following what you’re scholars say. Every single madhab has rulings about this and you can often inquire with the scholars about this.
It’s also a sunnah, to cover up and be in clean cloths during salaat also…the women of the sahabah covered when they prayed. We should too as we should take them as examples for our behavior and dress.
Samira and Jodi~
“The free woman who has attained the age of majority is obliged to cover her entire body during prayer, apart from her face and hands, because all of her is ‘awrah. If she prays and any part of her ‘awrah becomes uncovered, such as a shin or foot or all or part of her head, then her prayer is invalid. ”
Abu Dawud reported from Umm Salamah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that she was asked about a woman who prayed in a khimaar and qamees (dress or gown). She said, “There is nothing wrong with it if the dir’ (chemise) covers her feet.”
“Ayesha (rad.i-Allahu `anha) reported that Asma’ the daughter of Abu Bakr (rad.i-Allahu `anhu) came to the Messenger of Allah while wearing thin clothing. He approached her and said: ‘O Asma’! When a girl reaches the menstrual age, it is not proper that anything should remain exposed except this and this. He pointed to the face and hands.” [Abu Dawud]
Narated By ‘Aisha, Ummul Mu’minin : Asma, daughter of Abu Bakr, entered upon the Apostle of Allah (sallalahu allahi wa salaam) wearing thin clothes. The Apostle of Allah (sallalahu allahi wa salaam) turned his attention from her. He said: O Asma’, when a woman reaches the age of menstruation, it does not suit her that she displays her parts of body except this and this, and he pointed to her face and hands. (Abu Dawud, Book 027, Hadith Number 4092)
As’Salam Alaykum
I think of covering as an act of obediance to Allah. This is part of the character of a believing woman, that she obeys her creator and displays that obediance through her actions. I think this extends to all parts of her life.
Allah Hafiz
hai..salam
im very intersting n like alot ure blog..
very inspiration..
Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu,
reading all these comments are very interesting, but as a sister put it, issues like this depends on the type of minhaj that one sticks by. If the Qur’aan and the sunnah instructs us to do something in a particular manner, one must abide to such if he/she claims to be a Muslim, There is no room for consideration or opinions and desires. Opening these types of doors leads one in the path of bi’dah.
Islam so clearly states (without ambiguities) that one must cover one’s awrah, then one must obey without any whys, hows or whats. A woman’s awrah includes everything from her hair, bosy and feet, only the hands and face can be left uncovered when praying.
Furthermore, these things are discussed by those who have knowledge of such, however is a fellow sister has presented a daleel (proof) from the 2 main sources, then there is no reason to argue or reject.
Allah (swt) knows best.
I have just converted to Islam n I don’t wear a hijab inshallah I will wear one in the future. A friend told me that I have to wear a hijab when I am learnin or Reading any book with Islam or sumthing to do with Islam Written inside it is this true xx
Hi Jamie-leigh!
I don’t think you have to wear head covering when you read any islamic book. Some women do it when they read the Quran out of respect but it doesn’t seem to be a command.
Don’t always believe everything people tell you is a must. Look it up in the Quran first of all and then in the hadiths. If you can’t find it anywhere, ask a scholar, an imam or some wise person you know:) but do ask them for a proof.
Many times people add something from their culture or something they have heard to the religion. It’s actually a sin to do that and they should know better.
hi my dear friends. i’m a muslim girl from Iran. u know the Islamic Republic of Iran. i’m so happy to see girls around the world who are muslim and concern hijab . unfortunately in our country girls are going astray from their religion. it is mostly because of “cultural invasion”(am i right?) they do not like hijab and think it’s only limitation for them. how about you? do u think so?
Salaam soode,
Thanks for your post. I started wearing hijab 3 yrs ago and accepted Islam 5 yrs ago. It was my choice and my husband encouraged me.
Only now I’m having doubts. I do think in some way that it’s kind of limiting. I miss my hair blowing in the wind and the summers (in New York City) can be hard with the weather being hot & humid here. I see the rest of my family going out and having fun and dressing up. It makes me envy them a little. I mentioned this to my husband and he starting lecturing me and became mad at me for saying this. He thinks I’m being melodramatic or something, I don’t know. I feel like men don’t get it. Especially the one’s who don’t wear long beards and loose fitting islamic clothing, my husband doesn’t.
Also it’s the looks I get from non-Muslims men and women, of which almost 100% of them don’t wear hijab (even if they are Muslims).
I realize that it’s modesty, ordered by Allah, much reward in the hearafter, etc. I realize all that, but I find less and less comfort in these thoughts. Any advice, sisters?
Wa alaikum salaam
Maftuna,
I understand where you are coming from. We all have our moments and that doesn’t mean you loose faith you just have a moment. Will those people envy you in the hearafter? you are doing what you do for Allah (swt) & you! just remember that. And you are getting more respect wearing hijab compared to not. We have to stick together and put out a good message about Muslim women.
May allah (swt) guide you and keep you strong.
Salaam Sister
Please, clarify for me. I am italian, and Muslim friends of mine said me that Hijab is not to cover up from men but it’ is right to cover up infront of Allah, as a sign of modesty. So why you think you have to cover infront of man? I asked this, because in the past in Italy cristians women too used to cover their hair when praying, and it’s raccomandable sometimes today, but it’s only for religious moments.
Congratulations for the blog, it is very accurate.
I beg your pardon for my bad english, God bless you all.
(Cristian reader)
if my husband has the windows open do i need to were the hijab
do i need to wear the hijab in front of my son inlaw a non muslim
how am i to do my prayers when i am at school i go to college at night
Salam Alaikum Warahmatullah,
Please educate me more on Women Awra . Does the feets and hands constitute am Awra during salat? Thanks.
Salam Alaikum Warahmatullah,
Please educate me more on Women Awra . Does the feets and hands constitute an Awra during salat? Thanks.
Salaam Zainab,
I took a course on hijab, and I was taught that the feet must be covered. Whatever applies as “hijab” or covering in front of non-mahram men, also applies to when you’re playing.
Allah knows best.
Maftuna
SubhanAllah many interesting and informative responses from the sisters! I would like to add some comments in the name of Allah most Merciful most Beneficent.
Denia, as Muslims we are commanded to always show modesty in our appearance, actions, and thoughts in front of Allah *and* in front of people. Modesty is a very important part of our religion; we believe displaying modesty in our appearance, actions and thoughts guards against evils. Our Prophet saw, was said to be so modest that he would turn his face away and blush with embarrassment when women came to seek his advice on certain personal matters, so that his wife A’isha ra would have to directly address the women instead. He always commanded the Muslims to conduct themselves modestly.
Sister Tonya, if the window is in an area where peeping eyes can see, then you should wear hijab so that no one can see your awrah. You could always put blinds or curtains up so that no one can see inside your house, then there won’t be a problem. You don’t have to wear hijab in front of your son-in-law, because according to the Qur’an he is a mahram man. (See Surat an-Nisa 4:22-23)
Going to school isn’t a valid reason to miss salat. If you are going at night then the majority of the prayers should be free to perform anyway.
May
oops, pressed ’submit’ too fast! Wanted to say, May Allah give us all hidayat ameen!
Salaam Sisters,
I didn’t read what ppl wrote below but it is my understanding that we cover at home because the Angels and the Jinns are still there and the Angels are recording your deeds.
There are also duas to say when you get undressed so that the Jinns don’t see anything. And you know how non-muslims ask you if you shower in your hijab (lol)?? Well you actually are supposed to wear a toga-like thing because Jinns stay in the bathroom because of the filth of it. So that they won’t see anything and you’re supposed to say the dua.
Also if you have men (brother, father, cousin) around the house you should always throw on a big shawl (Chaddar) and it will cover practically your whole body. Because Allah says that He is there and you are there and Shaiton is the third party.
Salaam dear sisters and hope this helped.
oh, and may Allah forgive me if this is wrong!
Sister Jamilah,
I’d have to disagree. I have heard the Angels and Jinns being at home thing, and yes I think there is a dua for when you’re getting dressed or something and there is definitely a dua when you enter the bathroom. However, when you’re at home, you are allowed to take off your hijab. That is, you are allowed to expose your hair, neck, feet and hands only. In front of your mahram (men) you should wear lose clothing but still allowed to expose abovementioned parts of the body. I took a course on proper hijab, and the imam was very specific on a lot of situations. Around you husband, you can wear anything you want, but around other women and mahram men, you should be modest. And I have never heard of the toga looking thing to wear in the shower. Do you have evidence for that, i.e. hadith or quraan verses? Doesn’t that prevent you from washing your body properly?