Answered by Shaykh Yūsuf Badāt
Question:
Are ladies required to cover their feet during prayer?
Answer:
Jazāk Allāh Khayr/ Thank you for your question.
During prayer, according to most scholars of the Ḥanafī school, the apparent portions of the feet (for women) are not considered from the ‘awrah (nudeness), hence the ṣalāh (prayer) performed while having the apparent portions of the feet not covered, would be considered valid. (Al Hidāyah, I’ilā al Sunan)
The Shāfi’īe, Ḥanbalī and Mālikī schools include the feet of women in the ‘awrah (nudeness). Therefore the followers of this opinion are to ensure feet are covered appropriately during prayer for it’s validity. (Kitāb al Fiqh ‘Alā Madhāhib al Arba’ah)
“The prayer of a menstruating woman is only accepted with the (appropriate) veil [and covering]” (Bukhārī)
“… and they must not expose their adornment, except that which appears thereof” (Qur’ān 24:31)
And Allāh Knows Best
