Message: Assalamu Alaikum
Is it permissible to perform salaat completely naked?
Wa Alaikum Assalaam,
الجواب و بالله التوفيق
Covering one’s awrah (areas to be concealed) is essential for Salaah, and a person must try his utmost best to find something to clothe his body for Salaah. The minimum to be covered is from the navel to the knees (including the knees). Even if one has to use a silk garment or any other thing which can easily cover his body, he must do so. Only in a case where there is absolutely nothing to cover from the navel to the knees, and there is nothing to cover the front and the rear private parts like an underwear, it will be allowed for one to perform Salaah naked.
However, in this case, one must perform Salaah sitting, with his feat stretched towards the Qibla and do ruku and sujood through indications (not the actual ruku and sujood postures). In this manner, he will be able to conceal his private parts in a better way.
If however, he performs Salaah standing, while doing the actual ruku and sujood as they are prescribed, then it will be permissible, but the sitting posture (as mentioned before) is far better. (Al Jawhara An Nayarah – (Sharh of Muktasar Al Qudoori) – Vol.1, Pg.130, Qadeemi Kutub Khan, Karachi).
And Allah Knows Best.
Mufti Waseem Khan.
26/11/15.