What do I need to wear to pray?
Wear clean clothes that cover what must be covered. Men cover at least from the navel to the knees, and it is sunnah to cover the shoulders. Women cover the whole body except the face and hands; the schools differ on the feet. The clothes and the place you pray on must be clean.
By Benjamin · Last updated
Step by step
- Check that your clothes are clean. Free of impurities such as urine or blood. Everyday clean clothes are fine.
- Cover what must be covered. Men: at least navel to knees, ideally shoulders too. Women: the whole body except the face and hands, with loose, opaque clothing.
- Pray on a clean place. A prayer mat helps, but any clean floor, rug or patch of ground is fine.
Simple ways to be ready
- Men: trousers below the knee and a shirt are enough.
- Women: many keep a long prayer garment or a large scarf at home and at work to put on quickly.
- Clothes should not be tight or see-through over the parts that must be covered.
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Common questions
Do I need special clothes to pray?
No. Any clean clothes that cover what must be covered are enough.
Can I pray in jeans?
Yes, if they are clean and not tight in a way that shows the shape of what must be covered. Looser clothes make prayer easier.
Do women need to cover their feet in prayer?
The schools differ. The Hanafi school does not require it in prayer; the others do. Wearing socks settles it.
Practise it with audio
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