What do I have to cover when praying at home alone?
Everything except your face and hands. Covering is a condition of prayer, so it applies even when no one is around. That means your hair, neck, arms, legs and body, with clothing that isn't see-through. Whether your feet must be covered depends on the school. A simple one-piece prayer dress makes it easy.
Covering is a condition of prayer
Prayer isn't about who can see you. It's standing before Allah. The Prophet ﷺ said Allah does not accept the prayer of a woman who has reached puberty unless she wears a head covering (Sunan Abi Dawud 641). The Quran also says to "take your adornment" at every place of prayer (Quran 7:31), which scholars understand as covering properly for prayer.
What to cover
- Hair and head, including the ears and neck.
- Arms to the wrists.
- Body and legs, with fabric that isn't see-through.
- Face and hands may show; covering the face in prayer is actually discouraged.
Tight clothing doesn't invalidate the prayer if it fully covers, but loose clothing is better and more respectful.
Feet in prayer
- Hanafi: feet may be uncovered.
- Shafi'i and Hanbali: feet must be covered, including the soles, for the prayer to be valid.
- Maliki: covering them is strongly recommended.
If you're unsure, cover them with socks or a long skirt. See Do I have to cover my feet as a Muslim woman?
Easy options
- Prayer dress (isdal or prayer set): a one-piece garment that slips over your clothes and covers head to toe.
- Long skirt plus a large scarf that drapes over the arms.
- Your outdoor clothes, if they already cover properly.
If part of your hair slips out briefly during prayer and you fix it quickly, your prayer is still valid according to most scholars. See also Can I pray in jeans? and Do I have to pray five times a day right after becoming Muslim?
- Cover for prayer even when alone.
- Everything except the face and hands.
- Feet depend on the school.
- A prayer dress makes it quick and easy.
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