2/66. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 586 — Covering While Leading Prayer
Who Has More Right To Be Imam
Hadith About Proper Covering While Leading Prayer
Sunan Abi Dawud : 586
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 586
حَدَّثَنَا النُّفَيْلِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا زُهَيْرٌ، حَدَّثَنَا عَاصِمٌ الأَحْوَلُ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ سَلِمَةَ، بِهَذَا الْخَبَرِ قَالَ فَكُنْتُ أَؤُمُّهُمْ فِي بُرْدَةٍ مُوصَلَةٍ فِيهَا فَتْقٌ فَكُنْتُ إِذَا سَجَدْتُ خَرَجَتِ اسْتِي .
‘Amr b. Salamah Narrated from:
This tradition has also been transmitted through a different chain by ‘Amr b. Salamah. This version says: “I used to lead them in prayer with a sheet of cloth on me that was patched and torn. When I prostrated myself, my buttocks were disclosed.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 586In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 196English translation : Book 2, Hadith 586
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 586
This narration is another version of the report about Amr b. Salamah leading his people in prayer. It focuses on his clothing. He said he used to lead them while wearing a patched and torn sheet. When he prostrated, part of his body became uncovered. The Hadith is simple but important. It shows that leading prayer is not only about recitation. The imam should also be properly covered during salah. The narration does not add a long ruling here, but the message from the text is clear: the condition of clothing matters in prayer, especially when a person is standing before others as imam. It also connects to the wider Hadith about Qur'an knowledge in imam selection.
What we learn from this hadith
- The imam’s clothing should cover him properly during prayer.
- Prostration can reveal clothing issues that need attention.
- Qur'an knowledge and prayer manners both matter for the imam.
- The narration keeps attention on practical care during salah.
