What is the ruling on wearing or praying in usurped (Maghsūb) clothing?

Chapter on the Description of Prayer

Al-Mughni

Book of Prayer

Book 3 · Issue 10 · Bab 5

Open in Qurani

Primary text

Wearing usurped clothing is unlawful, and praying in it is a matter of dispute. One opinion states that the prayer is invalid because one utilizes something forbidden in a condition of worship, similar to praying in impure clothing, as the act itself is an act of disobedience. Another view, held by Abu Hanifa and Ash-Shafi’i, is that the prayer is valid because the prohibition relates to the general usage, not specifically to the prayer, similar to washing clothes with usurped water or wearing a usurped ring during prayer.

Supporting text

When praying in a usurped place (like a house), the dispute mirrors that regarding usurped clothing. However, Ahmad permitted performing the Friday prayer in usurped locations because prohibiting it could lead to the complete cessation of the Jumu’ah service, thus allowing it for the sake of establishing the established act.