If the prayer mat is small

Question

If the cloth for the prayer is small, should it be under the feet? That is, [the cloth] on which the worshipper prays is not so large that it reaches from the feet to the head: if we place [it] under the feet, then the head ends up below [the edge of] the cloth. Please tell us: should the cloth be below or [reach] to the feet?

Answer

If this cloth is [spread] for protection from cold or heat, then it should be placed under whichever limb needs protection more.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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