he is alone at night. Nor may he pray naked, even when alone. Thus, wearing proper attire in prayer is not required merely to conceal oneself from people: these are two distinct matters.

Accordingly, a worshipper may cover during prayer what may be exposed outside prayer, and may expose during prayer what must be covered before men.

An example of the first is the shoulders. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade a man to pray in a single garment with none of it covering his shoulder. This is a requirement specific to prayer, whereas he may uncover his shoulders before men outside prayer. Likewise, a free woman must cover her head during prayer, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“Allah does not accept the prayer of a woman who has reached puberty unless she wears a head covering.”

Yet she need not cover her head before her husband or men whom she is permanently forbidden to marry, for she is permitted to reveal her hidden adornment to them. During prayer, however, she may not leave her head uncovered before them or anyone else.

The reverse applies to the face, hands and feet. According to the sounder of the two views, she may not expose these before unrelated men, unlike what was permitted before abrogation; rather, she may reveal only her clothes. As for covering these during prayer, it is not obligatory by agreement of the Muslims. Indeed, the majority of scholars, including Abū Hanīfah, al-Shāfiʿī and others, permit her to leave both uncovered during prayer. This is also one of the two positions reported from Ahmad. Likewise, Abū Hanīfah permits the foot to remain uncovered, and this is the stronger view, for ʿĀʾishah counted it among the apparent adornment.

She said:

“And not reveal their adornment except what is apparent of it.”

She explained: “Al-fatkh”—rings