and this is likewise the view chosen by Ibn al-Mundhir and Taqi al-Din al-Subki among the Shafi‘i jurists. I add: it is also the opinion adopted by al-Shawkani in Nayl al-Awtar (2/59–61). As for declaring the prayer invalid when the shoulder covering is omitted, the hadith supports this only indirectly, through certain legal maxims that themselves merit further scrutiny. Allah knows best. The majority cite another proof: the Prophet once prayed while part of his garment rested on his wife, as will be mentioned shortly. There we shall set out their reasoning and the reply, God willing. (1) The report in question comes from Jabir ibn Abd Allah al-Ansari and reaches us through several chains. First chain: Fulayh ibn Sulayman—Saʿid ibn al-Harith—who said: We entered upon Jabir ibn Abd Allah while he was praying in a single garment wrapped around himself, though his cloak was close enough that he could have taken hold of it. When he ended the prayer we asked him about this. He said, “I do this only so that fools like you may see me and then spread a concession that the Messenger of Allah granted to Jabir.” Jabir continued: “I accompanied the Messenger of Allah on one of his journeys. One night I came to him while he was praying in a single garment, and I too had only one garment. I wrapped it around myself and stood at his side. He said, ‘Jabir, what is this wrapping? When you pray…’” and he narrated the remainder of the hadith. It is recorded by al-Bukhari (1/375–376), al-Bayhaqi (2/238), and Ahmad (3/328); the wording above is that of Ahmad.