Munthir’s opinions, some of the Salaf, (1) some ‘Ulamah (2) and some of those well versed in religion’s rulings. (3)

Ibn Hajar criticised Al-Karm?n?’s statement saying: ‘He forgot what he himself mentioned of An-Nawaw?’s relating Ahmad’s opinion. Ibn Al-Munthir also related from Muhammad Ibn Ali that such an act [i.e. uncovering one’s shoulders in Sal?t] is not permissible.

At-Tirmith?’s statement indicates the existence of disagreement amongst ‘Ulamah concerning this issue. At-Tah?w? dedicated a whole chapter in his “Sharh Al-Ma‘?n?” (4) and reported in it that Ibn ‘Umar considered this act as prohibited, so did T?wus and An-Nakh‘?. Other ‘Ulamah reported the same opinion from Ibn wahb and Ibn Jar?r. Shaikh Taqy Ad-D?n As-subk? related that Ash-Sh?fi‘? considered covering shoulders in Sal?t as something obligatory; As-Subki agreed with him. However, most of Ash-Sh?fi‘? books report a contradictory opinion’. (5)

Al-Q?d? said: ‘It is related that Ahmad’s statement regarding this issue indicates that such an act [covering the shoulders] is not a condition in Sal?t. Muthannah related this from Ahmad when the later gave the ruling regarding the one who does his Sal?t wearing Sar?w?l and a garment that covers only one shoulder. Ahmad said: ‘This is detested”.

Ahmad was then asked: ‘Must this man repeat his Sal?t?’ He replied in the negative.

Ahmad’s opinion; however, bears many possibilities one of which is that he believed that the one who covers one of his shoulders has carried out the ruling of the had?th literally.