Rulings of Prayer

Dress Code: Part Two

As previously discussed prayer performed with a Najis body or in Najis clothes is void. However, there are some exceptions. Let's have a look at these exceptions:

1.            If the body or clothes are stained with blood and the stain is smaller than a finger phalanx, it is ok to perform prayer with it.

2.            If one’s small pieces of clothing such as socks or hat are Najis, they can be worn during prayer regardless of the amount or kind of Najāsa (impurity) on them.

3.            If one’s body or clothes become Najis due to the bloody scar of a wound or a pimple and one performs prayers like that, the prayer will be valid.

4.            If, during prayer, one carries a small Najis item in one’s pocket -so small that the private parts could not be covered with it- like a handkerchief, the prayer is valid even though the recommended precaution demands that even this little bit of impurity be avoided; However, if the Najāsa of this item comes in contact to the clothes the prayer is invalidated.

5.            In the case someone is stuck somewhere with a Najis body or in Najis clothes and changing or purifying the body or clothes is not possible or the time for prayer is so short, they are permitted to perform their prayer in that condition.

6.            When a nanny is unable to easily find pure clothes for prayer. This case has some details though so you may refer to Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi’s Practical Laws of Islam for further information.