Answered by: Moulana Tahsin Alam
Question:
Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah
Please break down the details of “satrul awrah” for salah.
I’ve read that “القليل هو معفو” And qaleel is described as 1/4th. So how does this practically work?
Ex. For women, who must cover everything but face hands, if her legs aren’t covered properly then will 1/4th be determined from above the ankle all the way up to her hip bone (so whole leg )
Or will it be from above the ankle to her knees? Likewise, if you can explain all the اعضاء.
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
In the name of ALLAH the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Answer:
Assalamualaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuh
In regards to covering the ʿawrah for ṣalāh, a man must cover from underneath his belly button until his knees (including them). A free woman must cover her whole body except her face, palms and feet. Her forearms can also be exposed, but it is better to cover them.[1]
A more detailed understanding of this is by classifying the ʿawrah into two parts: the heavy and the light. The heavy ʿawrahis the private parts (the front part and what is between the buttocks) and the light ʿawrah is other than that. If more than one dirham (about 2.75cm in diameter) is exposed to the heavy ʿawrah, ṣalāh will not be permissible. If more than one-fourth of a limb from the light ʿawrah is exposed, then likewise ṣalāh will not be permissible.[2]
The feet, shins, thighs, private parts, stomach, chest, shoulders, neck and hair are all considered separate limbs; therefore, the ruling above will apply.
Only Allah SWT alone knows best.
Written by Moulana Tahsin Alam
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham