Is covering the feet obligatory for a woman during prayer?

Chapter on the Description of Prayer

Al-Mughni

Book of Prayer

Book 3 · Issue 4 · Bab 5

Open in Qurani

Primary text

Covering the feet is obligatory for a woman during prayer. This is established by the report from Umm Salamah, where the Prophet (peace be upon him) permitted her to pray in a garment and head covering without an over-garment provided it was long enough to cover the backs of her feet (Abu Dawud). Furthermore, the Prophet (peace be upon him), when asked how women should manage their lower garments (dhuyl), instructed them to let them hang down a handspan, and when they noted their feet would become exposed, he instructed them to let them hang down a forearm's length, but not more (Tirmidhi, Hasan Sahih). This demonstrates the obligation to cover the feet. Additionally, the feet are not a part that must be uncovered during Ihram, so they are not required to be uncovered in prayer, similar to the shins.

Supporting text

The assertion that invalidation occurs only when more than a quarter of a limb is uncovered is a ruling without evidential support, as such quantification should not be based merely on personal opinion.