Question
If a man’s back shows during prayer, e.g., when doing *sajda* or *ruku*, does his prayer become invalid?
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer
The *awrah *(private area) of a male is from (below) the navel until and including the knees. Furthermore, from the navel until the region where the pubic hair grows and that area parallel to it of the sides, back, and stomach is all considered one limb. Thus, if at least one-fourth of this limb is exposed unintentionally for the duration of being able to say *subhanAllah *thrice, the prayer would become invalid.
Fatawa Hindiya: v. 1, p. 65 (DKI); Raddul Muhtar: v. 2, p. 83 (Maktaba Imdadia)
Only Allah knows best
Written by Maulana Mohammad Ahsan Osmani
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham