Entering the Mosque in a School Uniform

Entering the Mosque in a School Uniform

Question
Sometimes, I'm afraid I will miss my prayer when I reach home from school. One who enters the mosque should be in proper attire. What can I do to be able to enter the mosque when I wear my school uniform (shirt and skirt) ?

Answer
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Thanks for your question, and we earnestly implore Allah to guide us all to the best and easiest ways by which we can apply the teachings of Islam and carry out our religious duties as ordained by Allah.

All Muslim women should try their best to stick to the Islamic dress code in public and to take special consideration of their outward appearance when entering a mosque. In addition, every Muslim is required by Islam to perform daily prayers on time.

Responding to the question, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore states the following:

Performing prayer on time has higher priority than being worried because of wearing a skirt such as your school uniform. Thus, you should strive to perform your prayer on time, even though it means you have to enter a mosque wearing a school uniform. What we can advise you is to carry a long light-weight skirt and put it on over your uniform in the mosque. And if you can bring along something like a long-sleeved sweater and a tudung (hijab) that will be much better. Or better, bring a long head covering that covers the arms. But if that is impossible, you may approach the mosque attendant and explain to him your situation that you will be performing your prayer there on a regular basis. We are sure the attendant will allow you to keep prayer clothes there that will cover your `awrah.