Do we have a solid answer on females covering feet?

[Tabassum07]

:salam2:

I'm looking for a solid answer on this issue - are females supposed to cover their feet during salah? But the Hanafi madhab says its okay if a female does not cover her feet, right?

Are my prayers invalid if I don't cover my feet?

 

[Asja]

:salam2:

Dear sister, I have found this explination on " Islamic question and answer" site. I hope Inshallah it will be usefull for you.. I am covering my feet white praying, because I belive it is the same awrah of women,and I understood on that way that it is obligatory to cover our feet while praying saalah. And Allah knows the best.

May Allah bless you and increase our knowledge. Ameen summa ameen


Ruling concerning women covering their feet in prayer
What is the proof that women have to cover their feet during prayer for prayer to be accepted?



Praise be to Allaah.

The free woman who has attained the age of majority is obliged to cover her entire body during prayer, apart from her face and hands, because all of her is ‘awrah. If she prays and any part of her ‘awrah becomes uncovered, such as a shin or foot or all or part of her head, then her prayer is invalid, because the Prophet said:
"Allaah will not accept the prayer of a woman who has started to menstruate, except with a khimaar (covering)" (Reported by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Ibn Maajah and al-Tirmidhi, with a saheeh isnaad)

Abu Dawud reported from Umm Salamah that she asked the Prophet about a woman who prayed wearing a dir’ (chemise or upper garment) and a khimaar (head cover), but no izaar (lower garment). He said: "The woman is ‘awrah."

As for the face, the Sunnah is to uncover it during prayer, so long as no non-mahram men are present. According to the majority of scholars, the feet must be covered; some scholars allow uncovering the feet but the majority say the opposite. Abu Dawud reported from Umm Salamah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that she was asked about a woman who prayed in a khimaar and qamees (dress or gown). She said, "There is nothing wrong with it if the dir’ (chemise) covers her feet." In any case, it is better to cover the feet, to be on the safe side. As far as the hands are concerned, there is more leeway: there is nothing wrong with either covering them or uncovering them, although some scholars think that it is better to cover them. And Allaah is the Source of strength.

 

[Abu Talib]

Assalamu`alaykum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatu

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There is ikhtilaaf on the issue whether uncovering the feet during Salaah invalidates the salaah so Scholars have said it does not invalidate the Salaah but one should cover them recommended.

 

[Tabassum07]

And what about outside the salah? I'm confused how there can be two situations on this matter - one in salah, and one in front of non-mahram men, same as hijab is done.

In Hanafi madhab feet are not considered aura, so how does that affect the matter?

 

[BrotherInIslam7]

And what about outside the salah? I'm confused how there can be two situations on this matter - one in salah, and one in front of non-mahram men, same as hijab is done.

In Hanafi madhab feet are not considered aura, so how does that affect the matter?

:salam2:

Sister, I will provide an answer tomorrow InshaAllah after I pose your question to a person of knowledge.

 

[Ahsen]

BTW do woman also have to keep cloth above their ankles or it's just for men?

 

[thariq2005]

Wa `alaykum salaam wa rahmatullaah

With regards to Salaah specifically, then there is no evidence to covering the feet as Ibn Taymiyyah mentioned. However, a large amount of scholars have said that it must be covered and failing to do so will invalidate the Salaah. It will be wise for us to take a safe side, and cover the feet- this way we get out of the scholarly dispute. After all, covering the feet ain't something that is difficult at all.

Secondly, there is an authentic hadeeth in the Sunan of at-Tirmidhi, on the authority of ‘Abdullah b. Mas`ood, that the Prophet :saw2: said, “The (entire) woman is ‘awrah.” This was authenticated by Ibn Hibbaan, Ibn Khuzaymah, and al-Albaani said its isnaad (chain) is saheeh. This narration gives an 'asl (origin) which is that the woman needs to cover her entire body. Since the origin is established and the meaning is general, the feet will be included in this hadeeth. Thus the feet is `awrah, and anyone who disagrees should bring forth their proofs. We have a general hadeeth to base our proof on.

Wassalaamu `alaykum

 

[thariq2005]

BTW do woman also have to keep cloth above their ankles or it's just for men?

Women should have their clothes below their feet, while men have it above their ankles. It was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever allows his garment to drag out of pride, Allaah will not look at him on the Day of Resurrection.” Umm Salamah said: “What should women do with their hems?” He said: “Lower it a handspan.” She said: “Then their feet will show.” He said: “Let them lower it a cubit, but no more than that.”

Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 1731; al-Nasaa’i, 5336; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi.

 

[Abu Talib]

There is also ikhtilaaf between Hanafee Fuqaha regarding the issue of covering feet some say its better to cover both inside and outside Salaah while some say only outside salaah or mustahabb in case of non mahrams.

Ibn Taymiyyah had also mentioned its a issue debatable among Scholars and Imam Abu Haneefa maintained she can , though others believe otherwise.

Since its a matter of Fiqh with Ikhtilaaf which require deep understanding its better you contact your local Imam or wait for BrotherInIslam response.

 

[Tabassum07]

JazakAllahu Khayr - I ask because it seems none of the people in my area cover their feet - even those who observe full hijab/niqab. It is also actually a new thing entirely to me, as even my pious ancestors who would always be fully observant in always staying covered never mentioned about covering feet, (either during salah or not during salah). So I am wondering about this. Apparently, all of these people are of Hanafi madhab, and I learnt Abu Hanifa (may Allah be pleased with him) said the feet are not awrah, thus my confusion.

I don't want to leave this topic hanging, only to return as a concern sometime again in the future. Which is why I ask. I am unable to contact a local sheikh, so I'll be much obliged if one of the brothers can get to me on this matter.

 

[BrotherInIslam7]

Salaamalaykum waa rahmatullahi respected sister,

Just to make sure that I understood your questions correctly.

1) Is women's feet considered part of her awrah ?

2) Does she have to cover it outside of Salah ?

Kindly reply in this thread and inform me if this is what you are seeking an answer for.

Jazaki Allahu Khayran.. Wasalaamalaykum

 

[Tabassum07]

Salaamalaykum waa rahmatullahi respected sister,

Just to make sure that I understood your questions correctly.

1) Is women's feet considered part of her awrah ?

2) Does she have to cover it outside of Salah ?

Kindly reply in this thread and inform me if this is what you are seeking an answer for.

Jazaki Allahu Khayran.. Wasalaamalaykum

:salam2:

Yes - please ask the above Questions (1) and (2), and also

(3) - Do feet need to be covered during Salah as well?

What are the views on these according to Hanafi madhab?

JazakAllahu Khayr.

 

[BrotherInIslam7]

Salaamalaykum waa rahmatullahi,

I was not able to get a proper answer to the questions mentioned above today. So InshaAllah I will ask at the next opportunity I get on the internet.

My apologies for the delay..

 

[thariq2005]

:salam2:

Yes - please ask the above Questions (1) and (2), and also

(3) - Do feet need to be covered during Salah as well?

What are the views on these according to Hanafi madhab?

JazakAllahu Khayr.

Wa `alaykum salaam wa rahmatullaah

1) and 2)... Yes, they are `awrah according to the two narrations I posted above. And this is the view of many of the Hanafi scholars too.

The Hanafi scholars have three different views on this topic:

a) Women's feet are `awrah in salaah and outside. This was the view held by many hanafi scholars from the past, which includes Abu'l Hasan Al-Quduri and other Hanafi Fuqahaa'

b) Women's feet are not `awrah in Salaah but `awrah outside Salaah. This was the view held by Ibn `Aabideen al-Hanafi and Ibn Taymiyyah held this view too.

c) Women's feer are not `awrah in salaah nor outside of Salaah.

As I mentioned before, it is safer for a woman to cover her feet in Salaah to get out of the scholarly dispute. At the end of the day Allaah will not ask us as to how we followed a madh-hab, rather He will ask us as to how we answered His Messenger :saw2:

Wassalaamu `alaykum

 

[Tabassum07]

JazakAllahu Khayr, akhi Thariq - okay, I get the part of covering feet during salah. But covering outside salah all the time seems difficult. What is the view outside salah?

Sisters, do you cover your feet outside the salah, all the time like hijab? I mean, is it fard to cover feet in front of non-mahram men, or only mustahabb? It is easy to throw on your hijab in two seconds, but putting on socks takes a while.

Sorry to make such a big issue over this.

BrotherInIslam7 - No problem. Thanks for trying.

 

[thariq2005]

JazakAllahu Khayr, akhi Thariq - okay, I get the part of covering feet during salah. But covering outside salah all the time seems difficult. What is the view outside salah?

Sisters, do you cover your feet outside the salah, all the time like hijab? I mean, is it fard to cover feet in front of non-mahram men, or only mustahabb? It is easy to throw on your hijab in two seconds, but putting on socks takes a while.

Sorry to make such a big issue over this.

BrotherInIslam7 - No problem. Thanks for trying.

As previously mentioned, yes the feet of the women are `awrah and should be covered [by this I mean that it should be covered in front of non-mahram men] based on the evidences I provided earlier:

1) The narration of `Abdullaah ibn Mas`ood, radiAllaahu `anhu, narrated by Imaam at-Tirmidhi, that the Messenger of Allaah :saw2: said: “The (entire) woman is ‘awrah.”

2) The command of the Messenger of Allaah :saw2: to women to lengthen the garment is also a proof. It was narrated Ibn `Umar, radiyAllaahu `anhu, and Imaam At-Tirmidhi transmitted this hadeeth along with others-that the Messenger of Allaah :saw2: said: “Whoever allows his garment to drag out of pride, Allaah will not look at him on the Day of Resurrection.” Umm Salamah said: “What should women do with their hems?” He said: “Lower it a handspan.” She said: “Then their feet will show.” He said: “Let them lower it a cubit, but no more than that.”

There are also other proofs, but this just a few. In brief, even majority of the scholars who hold the view that it is Mustahabb (preferred) to cover the face and hands say that only the face and the hands can be revealed [and nothing else].

The view that everything apart from the face and hands should (i.e waajib) be covered (although I follow the opinion that the face and hands should be covered) was the opinion of the vast majority.

Sister, things might be difficult for you at the start... but later on will become easy. Many sisters have done it alhamdulillaah, and have also done it in very very hot countries. So inshaa'Allaah shouldn't be hard. Sisters have covered their feet, hands and faces. They found it difficult when they first did it, but later on found pleasure in it. Such is the grace of Allaahu Subhaanah.

Wassalaamu `alaykum

 

[BegumRehana]

Asalamwalaikum, so we should cover our feet during salaah :/ I thought as long as our clothing covers our ankle it will be valid. May Allah forgive me for this mistake.
JazakaAllah for this topic, i have learnt something new today, Alhamdhulilah..

 

[Kakorot]

This may seem like a silly question but if the feet is part of the 'awrah, then how comes it is a must for the women to uncover their feet whilst performing hajj?

 

[thariq2005]

This may seem like a silly question but if the feet is part of the 'awrah, then how comes it is a must for the women to uncover their feet whilst performing hajj?

Sorry, who said that it is waajib to uncover the feet during hajj (for women)... that only applies to the face and hands. And even that should be covered with the khimaar if there are non-mahram men. ‘Aa’ishah raiyaAllaahu `anhaa said: “The riders used to pass by us when we were with the Messenger of Allaah :saw2: in ihraam. When they came alongside us we would lower our jilbaabs from our heads over our faces, and when they had passed by we would uncover them.” Narrated by Abu Dawood and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Hijaab al-Mar’ah al-Muslimah.