Fourth Condition of Salaah: Satar

Q. What is meant by satar?

A. Satar means the parts of the body which a Muslim must keep covered and hidden. A man must hide his body from the navel to the knees. This is fard during prayers and outside of prayers also. A woman must hide all parts of her body except her face, palms, and feet. This is fard as well, though it is not necessary for a woman to hide her face during prayers. Women are not allowed to appear without veils in front of strangers, non-relatives, etc.

Q. What is the order if some part of the satar is uncovered unintentionally?

A. If ¼ (one-quarter) of the part is uncovered and remains uncovered as long as one can say subhaana rabbiyal-‘azeem three times, then the prayer will break. If the part is covered as soon as it is uncovered, the prayer will be acceptable.

Q. What is the ruling if one is naked and says prayer in the darkness?

A. Having clothes in possession, if one says prayers without covering the satar, it will not be acceptable whether it is said in the dark or the light.

Q. What if one uncovers ¼ (one-quarter) of his private parts knowingly?

A. Prayer will break at once if it is done intentionally.

Q. What about the one who has no clothes at all?

A. If one has no clothes, he should hide his body by any other thing, e.g., leaves, rags, etc. If nothing is at hand, one can say namaaz in such condition. It is better to say the prayer sitting down and do rukuu’ and sajdah only by gestures.