Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Please could you show me some of the evidences for why wearing a hat during prayer is wajib in the Hanafi school. I have been told that it is also wajib in the Hanbali school to always wear a hat, why the difference? I have become confused after a Arab lecturer claimed that it was just a cultural thing and that on hajj, of course, we aren’t allowed to wear hats.
Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,
Covering one’s head is not necessary (wajib) in the Hanafi school. Rather, it is a recommended sunna, (Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah) because this was the general practice of the Beloved Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), whom we have been called upon to emulate.
Please see the following related SunniPath Answers (http://qa.sunnipath.com):
Is it an innovation for men not to cover their heads?
Praying without one’s head covered
Jazakum Allah khayr.