In Islam, women who have reached the age of puberty are required to cover certain parts of their bodies, both during prayer and in the presence of men who are not their close family members (non-mahram). This includes covering the head, which is considered an essential part of the required attire for women when performing Salah (prayer).
The Requirement to Cover the Head
A hadith narrated by Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) states that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Allah does not accept the prayer of a woman who has reached puberty unless she wears a head covering.”
(Abu Dawood, Salat, 85 [641]; Tirmidhi, Salat, 160 [377]).
This indicates that a woman’s prayer is not valid if performed without a head covering once she has reached puberty. The hadith emphasizes the importance of covering the head as part of the necessary conditions for a woman’s prayer to be accepted.
The Practice of the Prophet’s Wives
It is also documented that the wives of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) covered their heads when praying at home. There are narrations where the Prophet (peace be upon him) advised young women to cover their heads during prayer, highlighting that this practice is expected for women who have reached puberty.
From the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to the present day, this practice has been consistently observed by Muslim women. The requirement to cover the head during prayer is a part of maintaining modesty and fulfilling the conditions set by Islamic teachings for valid worship.
In conclusion, women are expected to cover their heads when praying to ensure that their prayer is accepted. This is based on the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and has been upheld in Islamic practice for centuries.