Question:
Can you please describe the limitations of dress to be worn by men and women while offering salah?
Can a man offer salah with vest on top?
Answer:
Praises are to Allah, and peace be upon prophet Muhammed.
May Allah reward you for asking the question, and I pray that
Allah give you much goodness.
Propeht Muhammed, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him said, “Pray as you see me praying”, and we pray the way that prophet Muhammed, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him taught us. The way that prophet Muhammed, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, is explained to us by our noble ulema. When we follow the ulema, we follow prophet Muhammed, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him.
The parts that need to be covered is called “Awra”. The Awra required during salat is normally the same as that outside of salat. For men it is between the navel and knees. Some ulema allow less to be covered, i.e. covering the private parts front and back. Some ulema also say that the shoulders should be covered. For women the aura is everything except the hands and face, and there is a difference of opinion on the feet.
For the Awra, it is the minimal amount that has to be covered, and one cannot wear less than that. One can wear more, Allah willing, as long as the additional clothing is not haram.
There are texts available on this subject, as well as the other subjects of fiqh, and I would encourage you to learn more about them from our noble ulema, as well as the different views that they have. May Allah reward you and increase you much in the beneficial knowledge.
And Allah knows.