Desk Report:
Question: Many times, due to the heat, we pray wearing a half-sleeved shirt, a shirt or a T-shirt. Some people pray wearing a sando shirt, where the shoulders are exposed. Will it be pure if we pray in this condition?
Mursalin Talukdar, Shariatpur
Answer: Yes, one can pray wearing a half-sleeved shirt, shirt or T-shirt and it will be pure. There is no reason for not praying in this. The part of the body that is obligatory for men to cover during prayer is from below the navel to below the knees. If this part is covered, the prayer is valid.
However, it is mustahabb to cover the shoulders during prayer. If someone prays wearing a sando shirt or any other clothing that leaves the shoulders exposed, then his prayer will be makruh. It is not permissible to pray in this clothing. The reason for this is that we stand before Allah during prayer, so we should wear elegant and beautiful clothes as much as possible.
The Quran says, “O children of Adam, wear beautiful clothes at every prayer.” (Surah A’raf: 31). This is also warned in the Hadith. Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “None of you should pray wearing a single garment that is not on his shoulders.” (Sahih Bukhari: 352, Sahih Muslim: 516)
It is understood from the above verses and Hadith that it is not enough to cover the body, but rather to wear elegant and full clothes if possible. If someone wears a half-sleeved shirt or T-shirt for prayer, which is suitable for wearing in social occasions; it will not make the prayer makruh. However, it is inappropriate to pray wearing excessively tight or thin clothes.
Answered by: Mufti Shabbir Ahmad, Islamic Researcher
