Is a female slave's prayer valid if her head is uncovered?
Chapter on the Description of Prayer
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
The prayer of a female slave while her head is uncovered is valid. This is the view held by the general body of scholars. The evidence for this is the action of Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, who struck a female slave belonging to the household of Anas for covering her head, instructing her, "Uncover your head and do not resemble the free women." This indicates that leaving the head uncovered was well-known and unchallenged among the Companions, so much so that Umar censured the deviation from it and forbade female slaves from covering their heads. Abu Qilabah stated that Umar ibn Al-Khattab did not permit any female slave to cover her head during his caliphate, stating that covering (khimar) is exclusively for free women.
Supporting text
Al-Hasan is the sole dissenter among the scholars, as he obligated the female slave to cover her head if she is married or if a man has taken her exclusively for himself. Ata suggested it was preferable for her to cover her head during prayer, but not obligatory.