Can you please mention the relevant Ahaadeeth and rulings on keeping clothes above the ankles with references?
Allah Ta’aala says in the Holy Qur`an:
“O children of Adam, we have sent down to you clothing that covers your shame and dress that adorns. And the dress of Taqwa! That is the best!” (Al Aaraf v.26)
In this verse, Allah Tala has addressed all children of Adam and told them that the dress they wear is a great blessing, the worth and value of which must be recognised by them. The address here is not to Muslims alone. It is to all children of Adam. This point towards the act of covering the coverable parts of the body is both a human need and a natural desire. Everyone abides by it without any distinction of religion or community.
The Quran and Sunnah have provided ample guidance on this subject, which can be summarized into four parts:
1. Our clothing must cover our body adequately, which means those parts, which are cover worthy. Thus for a man it is from his belly button to his knees and for a woman it is her entire body except for her hands and face.
These parts must never be exposed to any other person (except in genuine circumstances like in front of a doctor for medical treatment) In addition the cloth must not be see through.
2. Our clothing/ dress should establish our Muslim identity. It should at least identify us from another religion.
3. For men the garment they wear should not be below their ankles.
4. Finally for men silk clothing is also not permissible. (Kitabul –Fatawa P95 V6)
In addition to this the design of our dress must avoid three things: show off, arrogance and self indulgence (exceeding the bounds).
Clothing which shows arrogance is to allow ones lower garment to go below his ankle. The Prophet Sallalahu Alaihi Salam has said:
“Whoever allows his lower garment to drag out of vanity will find that Allah will not look at him on the Day of Judgement.”
(Bukhari P860 V2)
Abu Hurraira (ra) said that the Holy Prophet Sallalahu Alaiahi Sallam said: “On the Day of Ressurection Allah will not look at him who trails his lower garment out of pride.” (Bukhari Muslim 194/2)
Abu Huraira (ra) reported that the Holy Prophet Sallahu Aahi Salam said:
“What is below the ankles of a lower garment is condemned to the fire.”
(Bukhari P861. V2)
Abu Dharr (ra) reports I heard the Holy Prophet Sallalahu Alaihi Sallam saying:
“There are three to whom Allah will neither speak on the Day of Judgement nor will look at them nor purify them and they will be severely tormented.”
When he repeated this thrice Abu Dharr (ra) said “they are doomed and destroyed! Who are they, O Messenger of Allah Sallalahu Alahi Sallam. He said “He whose lower garment trails one who boasts of kindness shown to another, and one who promotes sale of his business by taking false oaths.” (Muslim)
Ibn Umar (ra) reports that the Holy Prophet Sallalahu Alaihi WaSallam has said:
“On the Day of Judgement Allah will not look at one who trails his lower garment qamees or turban arrogantly.”
(Abu Dawud p.210 v.2, Nasaai)
Abu Huraira (Ra) reports that the Holy Prophet Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam said to a man who were performing Salat while his lower garment was trailing “Go and perform your wudhu again.” That man went and came back having performed it. The messenger of Allah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallsm said, “Go and perform your wudhu…” “He performed salat while his lower garment was below is ankle. Allah does not accept the salah of a man who trails his lower garment.”
(Abu Dawud p.210 v.2)
Abu Saeed- Al- Khudri reports that the messenger of Allah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallsm said, “ The lower garment of a believer should be halfway below the knees. He is guilty of no sin if they are up to the ankles. That which is below the ankles is in fire. Allah will not look at one who allows his lower garment to trail out of vanity.
(Abu Dawud p.210 v.2)
Ibn Umar (ra) narrates: My lower garment was trailing as I passed by the Messenger of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam, so he said, “Raise your lower garment, Abdullah “I lifted it up and he told me to raise it higher. I complied with his orders and as I was still trying to find the best place, one of the people asked where it should reach and the Holy Prophet (saw) replied, “ Half way down the kness.” (Muslim p.195 v.2)
From the abovementioned selection of hadiths one could come to a conclusion that clothing, which are worn to show arrogance is a severe act of pride and the punishment of it will also be ruthless.
May Allah (swa) save us from such punishments.
Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham.
