Question: Can prayer be performed wearing tight or modern clothing?
Answer:
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ، الْـحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى أَشْرَفِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَالْمُرْسَلِينَ، نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ، وَمَنْ تَبِعَهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ.
Covering the ʿawrah is a condition for the validity of ṣalāh according to all four madhāhib. Allah says:
﴿ يَا بَنِي آدَمَ خُذُوا زِينَتَكُمْ عِندَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ ﴾
“O children of Ādam, take your adornment at every masjid…” (Sūrat al-Aʿrāf: 31)
The scholars derived from this and other evidences that the clothing used in prayer must properly and respectfully cover the body parts required by Sharīʿah.
According to the Ḥanafī and Mālikī madhhabs, tight clothing that outlines the shape of the body—especially the ʿawrah—does not constitute proper covering. Even if the skin is technically concealed, the form-fitting nature of the garment can render the prayer invalid or at least highly disliked (makrūh taḥrīman).
The Shāfiʿī and Ḥanbalī madhhabs similarly state that covering the ʿawrah must be with loose garments that do not reveal the contours of the body. Clothing that clings to the body in a way that exposes the shape of the ʿawrah is not sufficient, particularly for women whose entire bodies, excluding face and hands, must be covered.
Modern clothing is not inherently impermissible, but it must meet the conditions of proper covering. Garments that are loose, non-transparent, and non-revealing of the ʿawrah’s shape are acceptable according to all schools.
Therefore, prayer in tight clothing that outlines the body’s shape is at best discouraged and at worst invalid depending on the extent of exposure, particularly of the ʿawrah. One should wear modest, loose-fitting clothing that fulfills the Sharʿī requirements of concealment and dignity.
وَاللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ.