IS IT PERMISSIBLE TO PRAY WITHOUT A HEAD COVER?

When performing prayer, a person should feel as though they are standing before their Creator. Naturally, it is proper at this moment to wear clean and presentable clothing. Allah the Exalted says in the Qur’an:

“O children of Adam! Wear your adornment (clean and beautiful clothes) at every time and place of prayer.” (Al-A’raf, 7:31)

Commentators explain that the word “adornment” in this verse refers to clothing that gives a dignified and respectable appearance. Many prominent scholars, centuries ago, discussed the issue of praying with a head covering in their works and clarified its ruling. For example, the scholar al-Hasakafi (may Allah have mercy on him) listed disliked acts in prayer in his book “Durr al-Mukhtar” and said:

“It is disliked (makruh) for a person to pray bareheaded out of laziness. If someone does so out of humility, there is no harm. If the head covering falls off during prayer, it is preferable to put it back on, unless doing so would require excessive movement.” (Hashiyat Ibn Abidin, 1/691)

In fact, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), his noble companions, righteous scholars, and our predecessors were accustomed to praying with a head covering.

In the Hanafi school, several rulings are given regarding praying bareheaded:

1. If there is no other option, praying bareheaded is permitted and not considered disliked (makruh).

2. Praying bareheaded out of laziness is makruh tanzihi (mildly disliked), and thus the reward is diminished.

3. Making it a habit to pray bareheaded, believing it to be a Sunnah without proper knowledge, is makruh tahrimi (strongly disliked).

4. Intentionally choosing to pray bareheaded, believing it to be a Sunnah, is an innovation (bid‘ah).

5. Believing that praying bareheaded is superior or a Sunnah, and considering wearing a head covering to be blameworthy, is disbelief (kufr). (Fath Bab al-Ghina, 1/447; Fatawa al-Hindiyya, 1/165; Imdad al-Fattah, 365)

In summary, praying with a head covering such as a turban or cap is considered proper etiquette and a sign of respect for the prayer. Therefore, it is best to pray with a head covering whenever possible.

Hasan AMANKUL,

“Munara” newspaper, No. 6, 2023