Fatwa ID: 01240

Answered by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Question:

Salah behind an Imam whose garments are below his ankles

Answer:

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.

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.” (Sahih Bukhari p.860 v.2)

Saaiduna Abu Huraira reported that the Holy Prophet Sallahu Aahi Salam said:

“What is below the ankles of a lower garment is condemned to the fire.” (Sahih Bukhari p.861. v.2)

Saaiduna Ibn Umar Radiallahu Anhu 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.” (Sunan Abi Dawud p.210 v.2, Nasaai)

From the aforementioned ahadith we can see how severe it is to lower the garments below the ankle. It is considered a grave sin. Therefore, it is considered Makruh Tahrimi to read salah behind such an Imam who lets his garments trail below his ankles. (Aapke Masaail p.344 v.2)

Such a person will be considered a faasiq (transgressor) according to the Shariah and it will be Makruh Tahrimi to read salah behind him. (Raddul Muhtar P.298 v.2)

 An additional point to remember is that if a person did read behind such an imam it will not be necessary to repeat the salah.

 Mufti Habibur Rahman, a senior mufti of Darul Uloom Deoband gives the following reasons why a person would not need to repeat his salah:

1. The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam has said: “Read salah behind every pious person and transgressor.” (Sunan Abi Dawud P.95 V.1)
2. When the insurgents (Baghee’s) surrounded Saaiduna Uthman Radiallahu Anhu’s house. The sahabas continued to read their salah behind them.
3. There is a possibility that by not reading behind such an imam it might cause fitnah or differences in the community and Islam has prohibited from creating fitnah.
4. It is not mentioned in any hadith, that such a salah that has been performed with severe detestability (Makruh Tahrimi) has to be repeated. The ruling written by Allahmah Ibn Abedeen Shami (RA) “Every salah which is performed with detestability has to be repeated.” (Raddul Muhtar p.147 v.2) Applies where the salah has become Makruh by missing one of the obligatory (wajib) actions of salah. (Masaail Imamat P.141) 

 Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham.