Fourth Condition of Prayer – Covering Concealable Parts

All male adult persons are commanded to cover their body, between the naval and the knees. This order holds good during prayers and otherwise. The women are commanded to cover their entire body except hands, face and feet. Although women are not required to cover their face during prayers, they are prohibited to appear with their face uncovered before other than certain close relatives.

The prayer will not be valid if one-fourth of such part of the body remains uncovered for a period of time that is sufficient to repeat thrice.

If one has no clothes, some other materials such as tree leaves sack cloth etc should be used to cover the body. However, if nothing is available, the prayer may be offered in the nude, in a sitting position. In this case, it is better to perform the Ruku and Sajdah by gestures.