Fatwa ID: 05659

Answered by: Mufti Afdhal Hussain

Question:

In our work prayer room today, there was a brother who was advised to roll his trousers above the ankles, and how this is a command for us to do at all times, and not just during salah.

He responded by saying, he was informed by a Maulana, that if the trousers are already very long, and go over, or past your ankles, then it is MAKRUH to roll them above the ankles.

In other words, you leave them past the ankles at all times and salah. The exception to this is if your trousers from the moment they are worn are capable of being rolled above your ankles.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

The Prophet (SWS) said: ” Whatever extends beyond the ankle of your clothes will be in the fire.” [Musnad Ahmad]

If it is out of pride, the punishment is more severe as mentioned in a hadith:

“Whoever drags his clothes out of pride will not be looked at by Allah on the Day of Judgement.” [Bukhari:3465]

Isbaal (letting one’s garment go down below the ankles) is a serious sin.  Abu Dharr (RA)reported from the Prophets saying thus: “Allah will not speak to three people on the day of Judgement, He will neither look at them nor purify them and for them is a grievous punishment, they are: one who lets his garments go down below ankles, one who reminds others of his grace to them, and one who sells his commodities with false oaths.” [Muslim:305/106]

On the commentary of the above hadith, it is mentioned that ‘Isbaal (letting one’s garment go down below the ankles) is forbidden even if it is done without pride except if it is done without choice in a moment of inattention whilst walking or so on with the condition that it does not go excessively below.’ [see: Fathuln Mulhim]

Isbaal is impermissible. Praying whilst the pants or pyjamas are below the ankles is a severe sin. The garment has to be above the ankles for all times not only rolling up for prayers. [See: Apke Maseel keHaal, vol:1, question:434, publisher: Bangladesh Islamic Centre Dhaka] So rolling up for prayer is better than praying with the garment below the ankles.

Only Allah Knows Best

Written by Mufti Afdhal Hussain

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham