“When one of you prays, let him wear his two garments, for Allah is most deserving that one should adorn himself before Him.”
Reported by al-Bazzār (no. 5903, with this wording) and al-Ṭabarānī in al-Awsaṭ (no. 9368), from the narration of Ibn ʿUmar — may Allah be pleased with them both.
Authenticated in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmiʿ (no. 652) and Silsilat al-Aḥādīth al-Ṣaḥīḥah (no. 1369).
Brief Explanation of the Hadith
A Muslim should prepare for his prayer with whatever fine clothing he can, in veneration of its status. It is recommended that he pray wearing an izār and ridāʾ, covering both the upper and lower body, or any equivalent attire that covers the entire body—as an expression of adornment.
Although performing prayer in a single garment that covers the ʿawrah is valid according to most scholars, wearing two garments is more complete and superior, as it fulfills the adornment commanded in Allah’s statement: {Take your adornment at every mosque}. al-Aʿrāf: 31.
ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar — may Allah be pleased with them both — understood this meaning. When he saw Nāfiʿ praying in a single garment, he said to him: “Allah is more deserving that you adorn yourself for Him.”
What is meant by adornment here is preparing for prayer with clean, fine clothing that covers the entire body.
The hadith indicates that caring for one’s appearance in prayer is among the signs of honoring the sacred symbols of Allah.