Some of the companions of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) were so poor and needy that they did not own more than one garment with which to wrap themselves and cover both the upper and lower parts of their bodies whilst praying. The basic principle concerning the izar is that it is used to cover the lower part of the body, but they were wrapping it around their shoulders, to serve as both a rida’ and an izar, covering the entire body as small children used to do at that time. This is indicative of how Islam makes it easy to pray in one garment when necessary, if the garment is large enough to do that. But if it is too narrow or small, then the individual should pray with it wrapped around his waist, so as to cover his ‘awrah and the lower part of his body, as mentioned in the hadith of Jabir ibn ‘Abdillah (may Allah be pleased with him) in Sahih al-Bukhari. It was said to the women: Do not raise your heads [from prostration] until you are certain that the men have sat up completely after rising from prostration. That was to prevent them seeing the ‘awrahs of the men, if they raised their heads from prostration before them. That was because the women stood behind the men, and the men’s ‘awrahs might become uncovered as they were standing up. Therefore the women were prohibited to raise their heads too soon, for that reason. This hadith indicates that the garments of those men were short and might uncover their ‘awrahs. It also highlights the fact that averting the gaze and avoiding looking at ‘awrahs is more emphasized in the case of prayer..