and likewise the one who prays bare-headed when he has something with which to cover himself: his action is deemed makruh, whereas the one who lacks any covering is not blameworthy. This point applies only if the reports that allow praying in a single garment are taken—as the aforementioned shaykh wishes—to cover praying with an uncovered head. We disagree. Those hadiths speak exclusively about covering the body below the head; they say nothing about uncovering the head itself. The settled practice of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was to wear a turban or at least a cap, and the same was true of his Companions. Had he, when he prayed in a single cloth, done so bare-headed, the Companions who transmitted that prayer—especially since they were many, as already noted—would certainly have mentioned it. Their failure to do so shows that he prayed in his usual manner, the only difference being that he restricted himself to one garment for his body. In such a matter it is incorrect to invoke the principle that “non-existence is the default, so whoever claims a practice must prove it,” because we have shown that his normal state was to keep his head covered; that established habit is the operative default. Therefore, anyone who asserts the opposite must provide evidence, even if his claim is a negation. It is not always the case that the negator is exempt from proof, as is explained elsewhere. It is thus established that the Prophet’s guidance was to pray with the head covered (*). He also said: “Pray as you have seen me pray.” Taken together, his practice and this instruction at the very least indicate recommendation, and the opposite implies dislike. This is further supported by his command to pray in sandals so as to differ from the Jews, as discussed earlier. By analogy, and in light of the general texts forbidding imitation of the unbelievers—especially in their worship—praying bare-headed is disliked, for it resembles the Christians, who are known to stand in their worship with uncovered heads. Which act of opposition is weightier: differing with them regarding the feet, or the head? This is what appears to me on the matter, and Allah alone grants success. _________ (*) See Tamam al-Minna, p. 164, for additional clarification.