in that matter: some maintained that it is one of the obligatory elements of the prayer itself.
Others held that, although obligatory in general, it is not among the essential integrals of prayer but rather one of its sunnah practices.
The first opinion is the stronger, for they are unanimous that covering the ʿawrah during prayer is mandatory for anyone who is able to do so; whether its obligation precedes the prayer or is bound up with the act of praying makes no difference, for it remains one of its obligations. We have explained this fully in Kitab al-Tamhid.
One should array himself in his finest clothes for the prayer. It is recommended that the imam go even further, wearing the most complete, excellent, and beautiful adornment, such as a cloak and the like.
If a traveller—or anyone else—cannot find anything with which to cover his ʿawrah, he prays naked while standing, just as a clothed person would pray; men and women are equal in this regard. No one may pray seated when he is capable of standing.
If several people are all naked, they pray individually; but if it is a dark night they may pray in congregation, with one of them leading.
Another view states that even by day they may pray together, lowering their gaze, with the imam standing among them; the former opinion is that of Malik.
Should the naked worshiper find something that will cover one of his two private parts, he is to cover the front. Some of our scholars said he may cover whichever of the two he wishes.
If, while praying naked, he comes upon a garment, he should cover himself with it and start the prayer anew rather than continue from where he left off; if he only finds it later within the prayer’s time window, nothing is required of him.
If a slave-woman prays with her head uncovered she is not obliged to repeat the prayer, whereas a free woman must do so.
Scholars have differed about whether a woman’s foot is ʿawrah: one view says that it is, another that it is not. The first is the sounder view and is the position of Malik,
and it is required of the person praying that