Volume - III / CHAPTER - 2 / LESSON NO: 15
COVERING OF THE BODY FROM NAVEL TO KNEES
Q 1: What does "Satr-e-Aurat" mean?
A. "Satr-e-Aurat" means to cover those parts of the body which are necessarily covered during prayer.
Q 2: Which parts of the body are to be covered by man and woman during prayer?
A. It is obligatory (Fard) upon man to cover himself from the navel to the knees (exclusive of navel and inclusive of knees) and woman (not slave-girl) to cover her entire body except face, palms and soles of the feet. Her hair (plaited on the back or loose), neck and wrists are also included in "Satr-e-Aurat". The face of woman is not included in Satr-e-Aurat but even then it should not be exposed to strangers.
Q 3: Will prayer be in order or not if any covered part of the body gets exposed?
A. Prayer will be in order if any covered part of the body (Satr-e-Aurat) gets exposed less than l/4th or gets exposed more than l/4th but is immediately covered. In case, the covering of the exposed part is delayed for such an interval that one could easily say "Subhaan Allah" thrice or any part was deliberately exposed even though covered immediately, the prayer will go void in such condition.
Q 4: What injunction is there for a person who is in darkness and offers prayer naked?
A. Prayer will not be lawful if one offers naked even in a lonely house in darkness despite possessing a piece of cloth to cover his "Satr-e-Aurat". There is a consensus of Muslim scholars on "Satr-e-Aurat" for prayer sans any exception.
Q 5: Is "Satr-e-Aurat" to be observed even in loneliness?
A. The observance of Satr-e-Aurat is Waajib (essential) in all conditions (within or without the prayer even one is alone). It should not be exposed in loneliness unless permitted by the Shari'ah.
Q 6: What should one do if he has no cloth for Satr-e-Aurat?
A. He who has no cloth to cover necessary parts of his body should use whatever is available for the purpose like hessian, grass, leaves etc. and even any of these things is not possible then it is better for him to offer prayer in sitting posture and gesture for Rukoo and Sujood (bowing and prostrations) placing hands on his private parts.
Q 7: Can a naked man use silk or not?
A. If one has no cloth for Satr-e-Aurat except silk then he should use it for prayer, otherwise silk is Haraam (unlawful) for men and prayer in silk is "Makrooh Tahreemi" (odious and will have to be repeated).
Q 8: Can thin cloth be used for Satr-e-Aurat?
A. Wearing so thin cloth(s) that the body looks through (see-through dress) is Haraam for both man and woman. Prayer will not be lawful in such dress. Even the hair of woman should not look-through from her sheet of cloth in which she is wrapped-up.