Is it permissible for a woman to pray wearing a head covering and a long shirt without a jilbab?

The Shaykh: Yes.

The questioner : Peace be upon you, and Allah’s mercy and blessings.

The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings and His forgiveness.

The questioner : May Allah keep you in good health, our Shaykh Abu 'Abd al-Rahman.

The Shaykh : May Allah keep you in good and blessing.

The questioner : And may Allah protect you, if Allah wills.

The Shaykh : You are welcome.

The questioner : Our dear teacher, is it permissible for a woman to pray wearing a head covering and a long shirt without a jilbab?

The Shaykh : The long shirt is sufficient if it is long enough.

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : It must cover the feet.

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : And it must not reveal any part of her body; then it is permissible.

The questioner : Yes, and the evidence for this is...

The Shaykh : The evidence for this is that there are reports from Umm Salama and others.

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : Such as 'A'ishah.

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : That a woman prays in a head covering, a long shirt, and a cloak that is long enough to cover the tops of her feet.

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : And the evidence is that the entire body of a woman is 'awrah (the part of the body that must be covered); so if she covers her 'awrah, her prayer is valid, provided the condition I mentioned to you earlier is met.

The questioner : Yes. As for the issue of the jilbab, that is a separate matter.

The Shaykh : The jilbab is required when she goes out of her house.

The questioner : Yes, when she goes out.

The Shaykh: Yes.

The questioner : Yes, that is a good thing.