What is meant by the women turning their backs to the men is that their backs face the men, so that the women’s backs are toward the qiblah, lest they see the men’s private parts. Then the women pray, while the men turn their backs to them, so that the men’s backs are toward the qiblah, lest they see the women’s private parts.

If it is asked: If the place is narrow and cannot accommodate them in a single row, should they form two rows, or should some wait until those for whom the row has room have prayed? The answer is that the scholars have held two views on this (1). Some said that those for whom there is no room in the row should wait until those for whom there is room have prayed, and then pray themselves. Others said: Rather, they should pray together as one congregation. If a person fears that seeing these people will distract him, he should close his eyes. But if he does not fear this and is concerned only with his prayer—looking at the place of his prostration and at the place toward which he gestures while sitting—then there is no need for him to close his eyes.

If He Finds a Nearby Covering During the Prayer, He Covers Himself and Continues; Otherwise, He Begins Again

His statement, “If he finds a nearby covering during the prayer, he covers himself and continues; otherwise, he begins again,” means that if one praying naked finds a covering during the prayer, and it is nearby—that is, there has not been a long interruption—he takes it, covers himself, and continues his prayer. But if it is far away, then he ends his prayer and begins it anew.

An example of a nearby covering is when a man comes to him while he is praying naked and says, “Take this and cover yourself.” In this case, we say that he should take it, cover himself, and continue from where he had reached in his prayer.

An example of a distant covering is when he remembers a garment among his belongings, far from him. We say to him: End your prayer, cover yourself, and restart the prayer.