The ruling on covering the shoulders in prayer
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Q: Some people pray the obligatory prayer without anything covering their shoulders, especially during the days of Hajj while in the state of ihram. What is the ruling on that?
A: If he is unable to cover them, he owes nothing; because of the saying of Allah, the Exalted: [Surat al-Taghabun: 16] and because of the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to Jabir ibn 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with them both): Sahih al-Bukhari 361 It is agreed upon that it is authentic.
As for when one is able to cover the shoulders or one of them, it is obligatory for him to cover them or one of them according to the most correct of the two opinions of the scholars. If he leaves that, his prayer is not valid; because of the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Bulugh al-Maram 2:72 It is agreed upon that it is authentic.
And success is from Allah.
A: If he is unable to cover them, he owes nothing; because of the saying of Allah, the Exalted:
So fear Allah as much as you are able
فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْIf the garment is large enough, wrap it round the body (covering the shoulders) and if it is tight (too short) then use it as an Izar (tie it around your waist only.)
إن كان الثوب واسعًا فالتحف به، وإن كان ضيقًا فاتزر بهAs for when one is able to cover the shoulders or one of them, it is obligatory for him to cover them or one of them according to the most correct of the two opinions of the scholars. If he leaves that, his prayer is not valid; because of the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
None of you should offer Salat (prayer) in a single garment with no part of it on his shoulders.
لا يصلي أحدكم في الثوب الواحد ليس على عاتقه منه شيءAnd success is from Allah.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.