Is it Compulsory to Wear the Trousers Above the Ankles?

Question

There is so much confusion on a simple thing as the trousers or pant covering the ankle. While different Alims explain this based on their own school of thought, what is the authentic ruling on this as guided by the prophet Muhammad (pbuh)?

Answer 1

No clue...

Never knew :O

Answer 2

I dont really know.... I heard different things.... but i just put my pants above my ankle so if its true that u should then i have no problem and if its not compulsory i still have no problem..... its cool. =]

@qing jao

Maybe it would be then possible to wear some big shoes.. or socks or what.... if someone really wanted to do it so badly then he find a way :P

Answer 3

Hazrat Aisha (R.A) narrates that Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, said, "This is the middle Night of Sha'ban. Allah frees in it a large number of the people from Fire, more than the number of the hair growing on the sheep of the tribe, Kalb. But He does not even look at a person who associates partners with Allah, or at a person who nourishes malice in his heart (against someone), or at a person who cuts off the ties of kinship, or at a man who leaves his clothes extending beyond his ankles (as a sign of pride), or at a person who disobeys his parents, or at a person who has a habit of drinking wine."

I will mention few Ahadith concerning the garment below the ankles.

قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيَّ عَنْ الْإِزَارِ فَقَالَ أَنَا أُخْبِرُكَ بِعِلْمٍ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ إِزْرَةُ الْمُؤْمِنِ إِلَى أَنْصَافِ سَاقَيْهِ لَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ فِيمَا بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ الْكَعْبَيْنِ مَا أَسْفَلَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَفِي النَّارِ مَا أَسْفَلَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَفِي النَّارِ لَا يَنْظُرُ اللَّهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ إِلَى مَنْ جَرَّ إِزَارَهُ بَطَرًا

Some body came to Hazrat Abu Saeed Kudree and asked regarding the (izar) trouser (how long it should be)? Hazrat Abu Saeed Kudree replied I would inform you of that which I heard Rasulullah (S.A.W) saying “A Muslims lower garment is half way down his shin. And there is no harm if it goes down up to the ankles. If it goes below the ankle it will burn in the fire of Jahanam. Allah will not look at him with the eye of mercy on the day of Qiyyamh.    

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ عَنْ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ مَا أَسْفَلَ مِنْ الْكَعْبَيْنِ مِنْ الْإِزَارِ فَفِي النَّارِ

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (R.A) narrates that Nabi (S.A.W) said that portion of the lower garment, which is below the ankles will be in h**l.

عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ عَنْ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ ثَلَاثَةٌ لَا يُكَلِّمُهُمْ اللَّهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَلَا يَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَا يُزَكِّيهِمْ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ قَالَ فَقَرَأَهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ثَلَاثَ مِرَارًا قَالَ أَبُو ذَرٍّ خَابُوا وَخَسِرُوا مَنْ هُمْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ الْمُسْبِلُ وَالْمَنَّانُ وَالْمُنَفِّقُ سِلْعَتَهُ بِالْحَلِفِ الْكَاذِبِ لَا يَنْظُرُ اللَّهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ إِلَى مَنْ جَرَّ إِزَارَهُ بَطَرًا

Hazrat Abu Zar (R.A) narrates that Rasullulah (S.A.W) said there are three such persons who Allah will not speak to on the day of Qiyamah (with kindness) neither look at them (with the eye of mercy) nor will he purify them and they will be in painful punishment. Rasullulah (S.A.W) repeated these words thrice. Upon this Hazrat Abu Zar (R.A) said they may be destroyed Oh Rasullulah (S.A.W) who are they? Rasullulah (S.A.W) replied

أَخْبَرَنِي سَالِمٌ أَنَّ ابْنَ عُمَرَ حَدَّثَهُ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ بَيْنَمَا رَجُلٌ يَجُرُّ إِزَارَهُ مِنْ الْخُيَلَاءِ خُسِفَ بِهِ فَهُوَ يَتَجَلْجَلُ فِي الْأَرْضِ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ

تَابَعَهُ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ خَالِدٍ عَنْ الزُّهْرِيِّ

Nabi (S.A.W) said one person was walking with his trouser below his ankles (out of pride) Allah punished him and sunk him in the ground, he will continuously sink in the ground up to the day of Qiyamah.



قَالَ الْإِسْبَالُ فِي الْإِزَارِ وَالْقَمِيصِ وَالْعِمَامَةِ مَنْ جَرَّ مِنْهَا شَيْئًا خُيَلَاءَ لَمْ يَنْظُرْ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ

Nabi (S.A.W) said that isbal (lengthening of the garment which is not permissible in Shariah) applies to the trouser, kurta (upper garment) and the Amamah(turban) he who hangs any of these garments below the ankles with pride Allah will not look at him with the eye of mercy on the day of Qiyamah.  

عن أبي تميمة ، عن رجل ، من بلهجيم قال : قلت : يا رسول الله أوصني ، قال : إياك وإسبال  ÃƒÂ˜Ã‚§Ã™Â„إزار فإن إسبال الإزار من المخيلة وإن الله لا يحب المخيلة

One sahabi said Oh Nabi (S.A.W) advice me. Nabi (S.A.W) said beware of lowering your trouser below the ankles, for lowering the trouser is a sing of pride and Allah dislikes those who are arrogant.    

عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ بَيْنَمَا رَجُلٌ يُصَلِّي مُسْبِلًا إِزَارَهُ إِذْ قَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ اذْهَبْ فَتَوَضَّأْ فَذَهَبَ فَتَوَضَّأَ ثُمَّ جَاءَ ثُمَّ قَالَ اذْهَبْ فَتَوَضَّأْ فَذَهَبَ فَتَوَضَّأَ ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَجُلٌ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا لَكَ أَمَرْتَهُ أَنْ يَتَوَضَّأَ ثُمَّ سَكَتَّ عَنْهُ فَقَالَ إِنَّهُ كَانَ يُصَلِّي وَهُوَ مُسْبِلٌ إِزَارَهُ وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى لَا يَقْبَلُ صَلَاةَ رَجُلٍ مُسْبِلٍ إِزَارَهُ

Abu Hurairah (R.A) narrates that Nabi (S.A.W) said to a sahabi who read his salah with his trouser below his ankles “go and perform wudu” the sahabi performed wudu and returned. Nabi (S.A.W) said “go and perform wudu” the sahabi again performed wudu and returned. Upon this one sahabi inquired Oh Nabi of Allah why did you command him to repeat his wudu. Nabi (S.A.W) replied he performed salah with his trouser below his ankles and Allah does not accept the salah of a person who reads salah with his trouser below his ankles.  

عَنْ سَالِمِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ عَنْ أَبِيهِ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَنْ جَرَّ ثَوْبَهُ خُيَلَاءَ لَمْ يَنْظُرْ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ إِنَّ أَحَدَ جَانِبَيْ إِزَارِي يَسْتَرْخِي إِنِّي لَأَتَعَاهَدُ ذَلِكَ مِنْهُ قَالَ لَسْتَ مِمَّنْ يَفْعَلُهُ خُيَلَاءَ

Answer 4

There is no difference of opinion amongst the scholars with regards to covering/non-covering of the ankles. All the scholars, regardless of their different schools of thought and differences in many issues, have no difference of opinion in this regard. They all unanimously agree that the length of the lower garment, i.e. the trousers/pants/izars etc. should be above the ankles for men. Thus it is forbidden for men to cover their ankles with their lower garments i.e. trousers/pants/izars etc. There are several authentic Ahadith to substantiate this ruling.



Narrated Abu Huraira

Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said, "Allah will not look, on the Day of Resurrection, at a person who drags his Izar (behind him) out of pride and arrogance." (Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 7, Hadith no. 5788)



There may be few Muslims who tend to differ on the subject due to ignorance. They argue by saying ‘the Hadith says that anyone who drags the Izar out of pride and arrogance will be punished in the hereafter. Therefore we don’t drag the pants out of pride and arrogance’.



However, there are many Ahadith in which the Prophet has instructed in unambiguous words to wear the Izar above the ankles without mentioning the aspect of pride or arrogance. One of the Ahadith is as follows:



Narrated Abu Huraira

The Prophet said, "The part of an Izar which hangs below the ankles is in the Fire." (Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 7, Hadith no. 678)



In the Hadith quoted above, there is a general instruction to keep the trouser above the ankle, irrespective whether it is out of pride & arrogance or without pride & arrogance.



Moreover, can any human being claim to be as humble as the Prophet (pbuh)? Alhumdulillah, we Muslims believe that the Prophet (pbuh) was far more humble than anyone of us can ever be and he could never be as arrogant & proud as we can be at any given time. He was sent as a mercy (Al-Qur'an 21: 107) for all the creatures, yet he wore his lower garments above the ankles. Therefore we should obey the commandment of the Prophet (pbuh) in order to prosper in the hereafter. The Prophet (pbuh) is reported to have said:



"All my followers will enter Paradise except those who refuse." They said, "O Allah's Messenger! Who will refuse?" He said, "Whoever obeys me will enter Paradise, and whoever disobeys me is the one who refuses (to enter it)." (Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 9, Hadith no. 384)



Thus, it is incumbent upon the Muslim men to wear the pants/trousers/izars above the ankles. And Allah knows the best

Answer 5

Yea it is compulsory for males to wear pants above the ankles.

Answer 6

there is no such thing in islam. u cant find any thing in Quran about wearing trouser above the ankles.  

Answer 7

Yes bro.

It is compulsory for muslims to wear pants which is not covering the ankles.

Answer 8

no..

there seems to be some confusion as to what 'compulsory' means..

if you're talking about different 'schools of thought', it's very obvious that you gotta come up with your own conclusion about this kind of stuff..

the people you see wearing trousers above the ankles are simply 'emulating' a habit of the prophet, and not because he 'told them to do it'..

*agrees with Qing Jao*

edit: try looking at it this way; pretty much All the prophet's actions and habits were examples to his followers for a moderate and upright muslim way of life, Many of them being habits that corrected ignorant and corrupt attitudes of Arabs "At That Time". there's a very good chance that 'at that time' arab Men who wore their clothing below the ankle, to the point of it being 'dragged on the floor' were a SURE sign of people who arrogantly showed off their wealth. it was 'their way' of purposely doing so.

the prophet's behaviors that counteracted such corrupt customs were often very blunt, deliberate and sometimes drastic.

here's the clincher.. that was more than 1400 years ago..

try going into an interview for a position in a modern company with pants coming up above the ankles even when you're standing.. you will look very unprofessional.. why? because is it not the accepted norm in most of the world's civilized socieities..

does this mean you HAVE to wear the pants with hems all the way to the ground because of current norms? no.. that would look just as equally ridiculous..

but putting all these differing 'opinions' aside... this above ALL is important to remember from the quran:

1) USE your common sense

2) Intention is an integral part of the action, but only god can know yours and only He can judge it

.... oh what a lovely bunch we are... arguing over trouser hem length............................. *headdesk*.. i'm just so proud of myself..

Answer 9

Isbaal is prohibited.

((What falls below the ankles is in the fire))

The action itself is arrogance.

Aboo Daawood and at-Tirmidhee reported with a Saheeh chain (authenticated by al-Albaanee in his Saheehah 1109) that the Messenger of Allaah salallaahu alaihi wa salam said:

و إياك و إسبال الإزار فإنها من المخيلة و إن الله لا يحب المخيلة

((And beware of Isbaal of the Izaar, for it IS arrogance and Allaah does not love the Arrogance))

Here the Prophet salallaahu alaihi wa salam says that the action of Isbaal IS an action of arrogance.

And the Hadeeth in Bukhaaree: ما أسفل من الكعبين من الإزار فهو في النار

((What falls below the ankles from the izaar is in the fire))

then the Ulemaa of Hadeeth have said this it Mutlaq (general) and one cannot restrict it (making it muqayyid) by using the Hadeeth of Aboo Bakr radhiallaahu anhu.

Amongst them was Ibn Hajar in his Fathul Baaree.

Shaykh Farkous hafidhahullaah explained this:

فالمراد بالإسبال هو إطالة الثوب إلى ما تحت الكعبين، وهو غير جائز شرعًا على الرجال مطلقًا ويشتدُّ الإثم إذا قصد الخيلاء

((The intent with Isbaal is lengthening the clothing below the ankles, and this is not permissible in Sharee'ah for the men in general. And the sin becomes worse if the intent is arrogance...))

(Read the rest:)

http://www.ferkous.com/rep/Bn3.php

Here is an excellent explanation in Arabic that refutes the idea that Isbaal without arrogance as the intent is permissible:

http://www.ajurry.com/vb2/showthread.php...

And it mentions that al-Qaadhee 'Iyyaad and other than him have reported Ijmaa' on this.

Answer 10

i dunno

Answer 11

I too was surprised to know that.. I am still confused bout it..

Answer 12

To my knowledge, the overall purpose is to dress humbly. Not being able to cover your ankle would be very impractical in Alaska, for example.

Answer 13

Al-Bukhaari reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whatever of the izaar (lower garment) is below the ankles is in the Fire." (al-Bukhaari, no. 5787)

Answer 14

Salam for you my dear friend.Yes I read in a hadits written by Imam Bukhari that for muslim women wearing clothes above the ankles and wearing hijab are compulsory because if its clothes more than the ankles are the sign of arrogancy. but they should wear socks .because the whole body of muslim women are haram to be seen except her face and arms.Allah hates arrogancy and loves simplicity.The non muslim women used to wear clothes more than their ankles so their clothes sweep the floor in the era of Muhammad pbuh.Muhammad pbuh suggested to make a difference for muslim women.