What is the ruling on praying in an impure garment if no pure garment is available?
Chapter on the Description of Prayer
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
One must pray in the impure garment and is not required to pray naked. This is the position of Ahmad, Malik, and Al-Muzani. The evidence supporting this prioritizes covering the private parts (satr) over removing impurity, as covering is considered more emphasized, similar to the ruling for praying seated. Furthermore, the Prophet (peace be upon him) commanded covering the thigh, which is a general command. Since covering is universally agreed upon as a requirement for prayer while purity from impurity is a point of difference, the agreed-upon requirement takes precedence. The required covering (satr) is a prerequisite that was impossible to fulfill in its complete form (purity), so it is waived, similar to the obligation of covering the *awrah* (private parts) or facing the Qibla.
Supporting text
Al-Shafi'i and Abu Thawr rule that one should pray naked and does not need to repeat the prayer, arguing that an impure covering is insufficient, just as if one could find another garment. Abu Hanifa holds that the person is given a choice between praying naked or in the impure garment because both actions involve omitting one obligatory duty and performing another, thus rendering them equal.