is not invalid. This may occur, for example, if a wind blows while he is bowing and his garment becomes uncovered, but he immediately readjusts it. The apparent meaning of the author’s words is that the prayer is invalid; but the correct view is that it is not invalid, because he covered himself promptly and did not deliberately uncover himself. Allah the Exalted says:

“So fear Allah as much as you are able.” [Surah al-Taghabun 64:16]

The summary of this issue is as follows:

First: If the exposure is deliberate, the prayer is invalid, whether the exposed amount is slight or substantial, and whether the duration is long or short.

Second: If it is unintentional and slight, the prayer is not invalid.

Third: If it is unintentional and substantial, but lasts only a short time, then the apparent meaning of the author’s words is that the prayer is invalid. The correct view, however, is that it is not invalid.

Fourth: If a substantial exposure occurs unintentionally and continues for a long time—such that he does not become aware of it until the end of his prayer or after giving the salām—then his prayer is not valid, because the exposure was substantial and the duration was long.

For example, a person prays wearing trousers or a waist-wrapper, and after his prayer he finds that there was a large opening opposite his private parts, but he did not notice it until after giving the salām. We say that his prayer is invalid and that he must repeat it, because covering the awrah is one of the conditions of prayer, and in such a case he was most likely negligent. But if the garment tears during the prayer—as often happens, especially with tight clothing—and he quickly holds it together with his hand, then the prayer is valid. For although the exposure was substantial, the time was short, and he did not do so deliberately.