Do I have to cover my feet (if I am a woman) during prayer?

Answered by Sh. Mustafa Umar1 min read

Short answer

No.

Reason for Asking the Question

Most of the body of a female must be covered for prayer except the face and hands. The questioner wants to know whether the feet are also an exception.

What the Scholars Said

Hanafi school, Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn Uthaymin: It is not required. (Source: Al-Mawsu’ah Al-Fiqhiyyah Al-Kuwaytiyyah)

Maliki, Shafi’i, Hanbali school: It must be covered. (Source: Al-Mawsu’ah Al-Fiqhiyyah Al-Kuwaytiyyah)

Certainty Level: 3 (out of 5) What is this?

Should I pray salat ut-tasbih (the special tasbih prayer)?
It is better to not pray salat ut-tasbih because it is not based on authentic sources and most early scholars ignored it. If this practice had even a moderate basis, at least one of the four imams would have mentioned it is recommended and there would be at least one authentic report about it, since it claims to have so much virtue.
Can I shorten and combine prayers when traveling? What is the minimum distance? When can I start? How long can I do that for?
You can, and should, shorten all four unit prayers (Zuhr, Asr, and Isha) to two units when you travel. You can, but it is optional, to combine Zuhr and Asr prayer by praying them at one time rather than two separate times. The same can be done for Maghrib and Isha prayer. It is better not to combine when you are at a resting location (like a hotel or camp site). The distance for travel must be at least about 50 miles, but if you commute that distance daily then you are not a traveler. You can begin shortening your prayers once you have left your city and you intend to travel to a distant place. You can keep shortening prayers if you plan to stay less than fifteen days in one location.
Can I combine prayers if it is raining?
No, because there are several conditions required even for the scholars who allow this practice, and they are usually not met by people who live in modern cities with paved roads and cars.
Can I organize a qiyam program where everyone prays at night in a group at the mosque?
It is good to have lectures and other activities at the mosque but recommended to not specifically organize a night prayer in a large group.

Do I have to cover my feet (if I am a woman) during prayer?

Short answer

Reason for Asking the Question

What the Scholars Said

Related questions

Should I pray salat ut-tasbih (the special tasbih prayer)?

Can I shorten and combine prayers when traveling? What is the minimum distance? When can I start? How long can I do that for?

Can I combine prayers if it is raining?

Can I organize a qiyam program where everyone prays at night in a group at the mosque?