Question:
Earlier it was explained that there is no clear Qur’anic or hadith evidence requiring women to cover their hands up to the wrists outside prayer. But another hadith was mentioned in which Umm Salamah asked the Prophetﷺ whether a woman could pray wearing a single garment called a dir‘. The Prophetﷺ replied that it is permissible if the garment is long enough to cover the upper part of the feet.
Now the question arises: since that garment covers the arms like a long shirt, can this hadith be used as proof that the arms must be covered up to the wrists?
Answer:
The answer is no. That hadith specifically addresses prayer, not general clothing outside prayer. Umm Salamah(RA)’s question was about whether a woman could perform prayer wearing only a head covering and a single long garment without an additional lower garment.
The Prophetﷺ replied that it is permissible if the garment is long enough to cover the body down to the feet. The discussion in that hadith is about the validity of prayer attire, not about general clothing rules outside prayer.
Therefore, the hadith cannot be used as evidence that women must always cover their arms to the wrists in ordinary situations. It only clarifies the requirements for clothing during prayer.