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Lower Your Gaze, Women! (Hadith No. 778)
Salam,
Bismillah.
Volume 1, Book 12, Number 778:
Narrated Sahl bin Sa’d:
The people used to pray with the Prophet tying their Izars around their necks because of their small sizes and the women were directed that they should not raise their heads from the prostrations till the men had sat straight.
They would tie Izars (shawls) around their necks so they wouldn’t have to tuck them up again and again during Salah. Because nothing should come in the way of a slave when he’s communicating with his Master.
Women were directed to raise their heads after the men had sat up, for precaution. Women’s rows used to be right behind men’s rows (without screens/walls) so it was possible that a women laid her eyes on a non-mahram’s satr (between knees and belly button). To avoid that, specific directions were given to women. Yes, women need to lower their gaze too.
Wassalam.
Praying in a Single Garment [Details] (Ahadith 349-358)
Salam,
Bismillah.
There’s a lot of detail regarding this topic in the upcoming Ahadith, so we’ll do them in one post inshaAllah.
Read this for reference.
Narrated Muhammad bin Al Munkadir:
I saw Jabir bin ‘Abdullah praying in a single garment and he said that he had seen the Prophet praying in a single garment.
Narrated ‘Umar bin Abi Salama:
The Prophet prayed in one garment and crossed its ends.
Narrated ‘Umar bin Abi Salama:
I saw the Prophet offering prayers in a single garment in the house of Um-Salama and he had crossed its ends around his shoulders.
Narrated ‘Umar bin Abi Salama:
In the house of Um-Salama I saw Allah’s Apostle offering prayers, wrapped in a single garment around his body with its ends crossed round his shoulders.
Narrated Abu Murra:
(the freed slave of Um Hani) Um Hani, the daughter of Abi Talib said, “I went to Allah’s Apostle in the year of the conquest of Mecca and found him taking a bath and his daughter Fatima was screening him. I greeted him. He asked, ‘Who is she?’ I replied, ‘I am Um Hani bint Abi Talib.’ He said, ‘Welcome! O Um Hani.’ When he finished his bath he stood up and prayed eight Rak at while wearing a single garment wrapped round his body and when he finished I said, ‘O Allah’s Apostle ! My brother has told me that he will kill a person whom I gave shelter and that person is so and so the son of Hubaira.’ The Prophet said, ‘We shelter the person whom you have sheltered.’ ” Um Ham added, “And that was before noon (Duha).”
Reference here.
Narrated Abu Huraira:
A person asked Allah’s Apostle about the offering of the prayer in a single garment. Allah’s Apostle replied, “Has every one of you got two garments?”
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet said, “None of you should offer prayer in a single garment that does not cover the shoulders.”
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah’s Apostle said, “Whoever prays in a single garment must cross its ends (over the shoulders).”
Narrated Said bin Al-Harith:
I asked Jabir bin ‘Abdullah about praying in a single garment. He said, “I travelled with the Prophet during some of his journeys, and I came to him at night for some purpose and I found him praying. At that time, I was wearing a single garment with which I covered my shoulders and prayed by his side. When he finished the prayer, he asked, ‘O Jabir! What has brought you here?’ I told him what I wanted. When I finished, he asked, ‘O Jabir! What is this garment which I have seen and with which you covered your shoulders?’ I replied, ‘It is a (tight) garment.’ He said, ‘If the garment is large enough, wrap it round the body (covering the shoulders) and if it is tight (too short) then use it as an Izar (tie it around your waist only.)’ “
Narrated Sahl:
The men used to pray with the Prophet with their Izars tied around their necks as boys used to do; therefore the Prophet told the women not to raise their heads till the men sat down straight (while praying).
These Ahadith imply:
- One may pray in a single garment if more is not available.
- Condition: shoulders and belly button till knees should be covered.
Praying in a Single Garment (Hadith No. 348)
Salam,
Bismillah.
Hadith no. 347 is a repeat. Read it here.
Volume 1, Book 8, Number 348:
Narrated Muhammad bin Al-Munkadir:
Once Jabir prayed with his Izar tied to his back while his clothes were Lying beside him on a wooden peg. Somebody asked him, “Do you offer your prayer in a single Izar?” He replied, “I did so to show it to a fool like you. Had anyone of us two garments in the life-time of the Prophet?”
Salah (prayer) can be offered in a single garment (izar/rida), provided the body parts that need to be covered (for men: shoulders, belly button till knees) are properly covered.
Women need to cover head to toe. Hands, feet and face may show.
Wassalam.
