Is it permissible to pray in shorts that are above the knee?

The awrah (private parts) required to be covered in prayer differs for men and women. For a man, the awrah is what is between the navel and the knee. For a free woman, her entire body is awrah, except for the face and hands. A man's prayer is valid if he prays in shorts, provided that what is between his navel and knees is covered, but he will receive an incomplete reward. As for a woman's prayer in shorts, it is invalid by consensus, due to the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: "Allah does not accept the prayer of an adult woman except with a head covering (khimar)."