Fatwa ID: 01643

Answered by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Question:

Assalamu aleikum,
I read in Taleemul Haq that "No garment, jubba or trousers should be allowed to overlap the ankles. It is Makrooh Tahrimi to perform Namaaz whilst any garment is overlapping the ankles. This means that the Farz of Namaaz will be considered as performed but there is very little Sawaah or benefit in such Namaaz".
Does this mean that, if I have trousers overlapping the ankles, I should fold up the lower part of the trousers?
Or is it better to try to solve it in another way e.g. by pulling up the pants and fastening them with a belt?

Answer:

Insha Allah your question will be looked at in two ways. Firstly, I will mention the ruling with regards to praying salah with your garments below your ankles. Secondly, I will mention the ruling with regards to folding up your trousers for salah and the apparent contradiction from a hadith which can be found in Sahih Bukhari.

Saaiduna Mughirah Bin Shubah said: “I saw the Prophet of Allah , seized the wrap of Sufyan Bin Suhail, saying: 'O Sufyan do not lower garments below the ankles, verily Allah detests those who lower their garments below the ankles. (Sunan Ibn Majah, Sunan Nasai and Sahih Ibn Hibban)

Saaiduna Abu Hurairah narrates that: "A man was praying with his garment below his ankles when the Prophet of Allah said: ‘Go and repeat your Wudu.’ So the man went and did his Wudu and returned. The Prophet of Allah said: ‘Go and repeat your Wudu.’ So the man went and repeated his Wudu and returned. The man asked: ‘O Prophet of Allah what is it that you told him to do Wudu (again) and then you did not say anything?’ The Prophet of Allah said: 'He was praying with his garment below his ankles, verily Allah does not accept the prayer of a man who lowers his garments.' (Sunan Abi Dawud p.100 v.1)

It is Makruh Tahrimi to perform salah with the trousers or jubbah below the ankles; however, the obligation (fardhiyat) will be done. (Fatawa Darul Uloom Deoband p.127 v.4)

Regarding the second question, it appears in a hadith narrated by Saaiduna Ibn Abbas that the Prophet of Allah was ordered to prostrate on seven parts and not to tuck up the clothes or hair (while praying). (Sahih Bukhari p.113 v.1)  

This hadith refers to lifting or gathering one’s garment from the front or back before going into prostration to prevent it from getting it dirty and messy by letting it touch the floor. This is reminiscent of having pride and arrogance which is against the essence of salah. (Nurul Idah p.167) 

The conclusion we can come to is that it is permissible to fold up the trousers before performing the prayer; as a matter of fact one is obliged to do so. One would not be able to use the hadith above to keep it below his ankles for salah.

Finally, it will be best that you have your trousers tailored in such a way that it is above your ankle so that you do not need to pull it up or fold it even.    

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham.