In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Covering (Satr) for Salah (In the Light of Hadith)

Prayer in a Single Garment is Valid Provided the Shoulders are Covered

It is narrated from Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“None of you should offer Salah in a single garment without having something over his shoulders.”
(صحیح بخاری ، صحیح مسلم)

It is narrated from ‘Umar ibn Abi Salamah رضي الله عنه that he said:
“I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ offering Salah in the house of Umm Salamah رضي الله عنها wearing a single garment, which he had wrapped around himself, and its two ends were placed over his shoulders.”
(صحیح بخاری ، صحیح مسلم)

Letting the Cloth Hang from the Shoulders and Covering the Mouth During Salah is Prohibited

It is narrated from Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade letting the cloth hang loosely from the shoulders during Salah and also forbade covering the mouth while praying.
(سنن ابو داؤد ، جامع ترمذی)

The Prayer of an Adult Woman is Not Accepted Without a Head Cover

It is narrated from ‘A’ishah رضي الله عنها that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“The Salah of a mature woman is not accepted without a head covering (khimar).”
(جامع ترمذی ، سنن ابو داؤد)

If the Garment Falls Below the Ankles, the Prayer is Not Accepted

It is narrated from Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه that once a man was praying while his lower garment was hanging below the prescribed limit. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to him:
“Go and perform Wudu.”

He went, performed Wudu, and returned. A person asked: “O Messenger of Allah ﷺ, why did you instruct him to perform Wudu?”

He ﷺ replied:
“He was praying while his garment was hanging below the prescribed limit, and Allah does not accept the Salah of the one whose garment hangs below the ankles during prayer.”
(سنن ابو داؤد)

It is a matter of great regret that many people are seen praying while their trousers or garments fall below the ankles. Some do so out of ignorance, being unaware that this affects the validity and acceptance of Salah. In such cases, parents bear responsibility for teaching their children worldly skills but neglecting the essential teachings related to the Hereafter.

Another group deliberately keeps their garments below the ankles, assuming that raising them is associated with a particular sect. Even when they raise them, they do so only slightly, barely above the ankles.

In one narration, the Prophet ﷺ advised a Companion to raise his garment above the ankles. He did so. The Prophet ﷺ instructed him again to raise it further, and this occurred repeatedly. Finally, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Am I not a model for you?”

The Companion then looked toward the Prophet ﷺ and saw that his lower garment was raised to the middle of his calves. He said: “My calves are thin; if I keep it slightly lower?”

The Prophet ﷺ instructed that it must at least remain clearly above the ankles so that it does not fall below them during Salah.