Question:
What is the ruling of formal ritual prayer (ṣalāh) with a mask on? Does prayer count if the nose does not touch the ground directly, as the mask touches the ground and not the nose during prostration?
Answer:
In the Name of God, Most Merciful, Most Kind
Thank you/ Jazāk Allāh Khayr for contacting Mathabah with your question. Your concern for the validity of ritual prayer is admirable.
In general circumstances, to wear a mask, while in ritual prayer would be considered makrūh (disliked). However, as the great jurist, Imam Ibn ʿAbd Al-Barr (may God’s mercy be with him) writes; “When there is a need to cover parts of the face due to a necessity then there is no karāhah (religious disliked-ness) or objection.” – (See: Al-Tamhīd, Al-Masuʿah Al-Fiqhiyyah)
Muftī Khālid Saifullāh Al-Raḥmānīy of the Institute of Advanced Islamic Sciences, states, “Covering one’s mouth and nose during prayer is disliked however due to a necessity, the ruling of disliked-ness does not apply. For this reason, as a precautionary measure during a pandemic, worshippers must wear masks, for the safety of oneself and also other congregants.” – (See: Al-Maʾhad Al-ʿĀlīy Al-Islāmīy, Shamʿe Ferozāʿ)
“The validity of ritual prayer is not negatively affected if prostration is done on something such as a piece of garment or cloth that is worn or held in one’s hand, especially if there is a reason to do so, according to the overwhelming majority of Islamic scholars.” – (Kitāb Al-Fiqh ʿAlā Madhāhib Al-Arbaʿah)
The Prophet Muḥammad (peace and blessings upon him) said, “I have been commanded to prostrate on seven bones; on the forehead, nose, hands (the palms), knees and the tips (toes) of the feet.” – (Ṣaḥīḥ Bukhārī)
Based on the above prophetic report, the proper sunnah (prophetic) way of prostrating would be with all the mentioned seven limbs upon any surface where the forehead can firmly fix on to; and settle with stability.
It is the consensus of muslim jurists that the forehead is most important for the validity of the prostration. The forehead is defined as the part between the eyebrows and the beginning of one’s head. – (See: Kitāb Al-Fiqh ʿAlā Madhāhib Al-Arbaʿah)
Here below are the positions of the four schools of jurisprudence on the matter:
Ḥanafī and Mālikī Schools:
In order for prostration to be valid, it must be done with at least some portion of the forehead. – (See: Rad Al-Muḥtār, Al-Mukhtaṣar Al-Khalīl, Al-Mawsuʿah Al-Fiqhiyyah)
Shāfiʿīe School:
Prostration requires at least some parts of the palms and toes from the seven limbs declared in the ḥadīth. – (See: Al-Majmuʾ)
Ḥanbalī School:
At least some portion of the nose with some of the seven limbs referenced in the prophetic report, is required for the validity of prostration in ritual prayer. – (See: Al-Mughnīy)
And Allāh Knows Best