wearing leather during salat ?

[simnani]

Assalamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

Imam Sahib,

I think I know the answer but need to be certain. Are we allowed to wear a leather belt during salat, or anything of any animal hide ? What if part of a swine skin has been used and we werent aware ?

[Imam]

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

Assalamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,



Praise be to Allah the Almighty, who is the Lord of all the Worlds, and may Endless Blessings be showered upon Our Master, the Last Prophet of Islam, Hadrat Muhammad Mustafa (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam)


Jazak'Allah for your question. In this day and age, where everything is available to us, in the form of clothing, food, shelter etc. It seems convenient, that a person who is praying salah, should dress appropriately.


Some of the greatest Scholars of their time, would dress up, just as we do, when we go to a wedding, or on Eid day, just for the purpose of praying Salah, hence being united with Allah the Almighty. So how is that we could ever think of praying salah with something so low, as the skin of a swine tied to us, would our salah be then valid? Definitely not.


The best scenario that I can think of, is when we are at work, then to keep our clothes clean would be a primary concern, although it may consist of suit and tie. However, ties are not allowed during prayer either, according to the opinions of some of the major scholars of Islam. Any material that is doubtful, should firstly, never be bought, let alone worn. And during Salah, definitely not worn.


When we are at home, we should at least make the effort, of transferring into clothes that are appropriate for Salah, for example 'salwar khamee's, 'jubbah' etc. But should distinguish between our everyday clothes, and those clothes that are worn for Salah.


I hope that you are getting the picture of the message that I am trying to portray. Our primary concern, is to know the importance of Salah, but by the right means, and clothing is a condition for the means of Salah, although they must be appropriate.


May Allah the Almighty help us to be a little more precautious, when it comes to remembering him, and may he accept all our worship that we have to offer, in the correct way.


Wallahu Alamu Biththawaab


M. Waseem Ashrafi