Is there a difference in ruling between obligatory (Fard) and supererogatory (Nawfil) acts concerning the requirement of covering the body with clothing?
Chapter on the Description of Prayer
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
No distinction is made between the obligatory prayer and the supererogatory prayer regarding the necessity of covering the body with a garment. The textual evidence regarding this matter is general and applies to both. Furthermore, what is stipulated for the obligatory act is also stipulated for the supererogatory act, such as ritual purity. Ahmad explicitly stated that using a single garment suffices for voluntary prayer. He stated, in the narration of Hanbal, that it suffices for one to tie a single garment around the waist (*i'tizar*) without anything covering the shoulder area during voluntary prayer, because the basis for voluntary acts is leniency, and therefore, this amount of covering is excused.
Supporting text
Abu Bakr derived support for this view by citing the Prophet's saying, "If the garment is tight, tie it firmly around your hips." He argued that this hadith applies specifically to voluntary acts, while the narration of Abu Hurairah pertains to obligatory prayer.