In the name of Allah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful
Placing a Garment On The Floor During Prayer to Protect From Extreme Heat
By: al-Haafidh ibn Rajab al-Hanbali 795 AH, may Allah have mercy on him
Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said,
“We used to pray with the Prophet (peace be upon him) in scorching heat, and if one of us could not put his face on the earth (because of the heat) then he would spread his clothes and prostrate over them.” [Sahih Bukhari]
“The intent of this narration is to show that when it is difficult to prostrate on the earth due to severe heat, it is permissible to spread out one’s garment onto the floor during prayer and then prostrate on top of it. This action is not considered as disliked during prayer because it is an easy action to perform and there is a need for it.
Certainly, prostrating on an extremely hot floor will harm and prevent one from attaining complete Khushoo’ in prayer, which is the greatest point of prayer.”
Source: Fathul Baari Vol. 6 p.303
Translated by Abu Awzaa’ee Abdus-Salaam
Makkah al-Mukarramah
Trying to Follow the Salaf 