Comments on Isbal (letting the garment fall below the ankles)

By Abul Layth ibn ‘Ata

The community of Muslims, from the earliest scholars to the later ones, have forbidden men to lower their garments below their ankles out of haughtiness or pride. In the Shafi’i school of legal thought lowering the garment, for men, below the ankles is considered forbidden if done out of khuyalā’ (arrogance or pride).

The Master of the Shafi’i guild in his time, Imaam An-Nawawi (rahimahullah – Allah’s Mercy be upon him) states in Rawdh. At.-T.aalibin,

“It is Harām to lengthen the thobe (garment) below the ankles if done out of khuyalā’ (arrogance, pride, haughtiness). It is Makrūh (disliked) if done out of other than Khuyalā’. There is no difference regarding that (i.e. isbāl and its ruling) in the case of Salāh or any other situation. The Sirāwīl and the Izār (waist garment) take the hukm (ruling) of the thobe.”

The Imām of the Sunnah, the authority of the Shāfi’īyya, Al-Khatīb Ash-Shirbīnī (rahimahullāh) states in his Al-Mughnī Al-Muhtāj ilā Ma’rifat Mā’ānī Alfāth. Minhāj (the sharh. of Imām An-Nawawī’s Minhāj At-Tālibīn),

“It is harām to let the tassels down, as letting it down is fāhish (an evil), and letting the thobe (garment) down as well past the ka’bayn (ankles) out of khuyalā’ (is harām). And that is makrūh (disliked) out of other than that (i.e. if not done out of khuyālā’).”

The Hanbali Imam, Ibn Qudaamah Al-Maqdisi said in his Al-Kafi fi fiqh al-Imam Ahmad,

“And it is Makrūh (disliked) to let one’s Qamis (shirt), Izaar (rap around waist garment), and Siraaweel (trousers) out of ikhtiyaalan (pride or arrogance). That is because the Nabi (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) said, “Whoever lets his garment (thobe) hang down (i.e. past the ankles) Allah will not look to him.” [Agreed Upon (meaning reported by Bukhari and Muslim)]

Imam Al-Hajjawi states (And to wear ones thobe or other than it, out of khuyalā’ is haraam) Imam Al-Bahuti states,

“From the ‘imaamah (turban) and other than it in Salaah and out of Salaah in other than Al-Harb (war) due to the Nabi (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) ‘s statement, “Whoever lets his garment trail out of khuyalaa’, Allah will not look at him.” Agreed upon. And Isbaal is permitted without khuyalaa’ for some haajah (need).”

[Rawdh Al Murabbi' page 69 published by Daar At-Turaath Al-Arabiyyah in the year 2002 within Lebanon.]

In the medieval ages nobility & the rich wore their clothes below their ankles out of haughtiness and pride. It is for this reason that Islam forbids such an act. For no person is better than another except by taqwa (piety), and no one knows who is truly more righteous than another save the controller of the hearts, the creator of all, Allah (the exalted). Indeed, Islam completely forbids arrogance and anything related to it.

The prohibition of lowering one’s garment below the ankles, dragging it upon the earth, stems from a Qur’anic verse that states,

“And walk not upon the earth with conceit and arrogance!” [17:37]

And also,

“And turn not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily Allah does not like any arrogant boaster.” (31:18)

The Beloved Prophet Muhammad (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) said,

“One who holds an atoms weight of kibr (arrogance) within his heart will not enter paradise.” [Sahih Muslim]

He defined kibr (arrogance) as, “Rejecting the truth and Looking down upon the people.” [Reported by Bukhari and Muslim]

He (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) also warned, “Shall I inform you of (the characteristics) of the people of hell? It is the violent, impertinent & proud person.” [Reported by Bukhari and Muslim from Harithah ibn Wahb]

The Prophet Muhammad (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) taught mankind to adopt humility and remove arrogance from one’s heart.

I ask Allah the exalted to place in our hearts humility towards the people, and to remove arrogance from our hearts and actions. Amin!

One Response to “Comments on Isbal (letting the garment fall below the ankles)”

1. Sophie says:

   November 26, 2011 at 1:04 pm

   Do you have the Exact wording for these Ahadith in Arabic please as I am aware that sirwaals aren’t part of the Hadith. Jzk Allahu khyran.

   Reply