Q. If a woman performs Salaah with a few strands of her hair open, is her Salaah valid?
A. In order for a women’s Salaah to be valid, it is a prerequisite that her Awra is covered for the duration of the Salaah. The Awrah of a woman includes her entire body excluding her hands, feet and face.
Accordingly, if a few strands of woman’s hair is exposed during Salaah, her Salaah will remain valid if the exposed area is less than one fourth of her head/hair.
If however, the exposed area is one forth or more of her head/hair, and remains exposed for a duration of a posture in Salaah i.e. the duration to recite the three Tasbeehs (approximately 3-5 seconds), her Salaah will be invalid. (Ahsanul Fataawa 3/402)
Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Mufti Ismaeel Bassa