The covering of ankles in Islam

By Allah Ditta Alzahbi

Allah says in Quran

وَمَا آتَاكُمْ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُوا وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ

“And whatsoever the messenger giveth you, take it. And whatsoever he forbiddeth, abstain (from it). And keep your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is stern in reprisal.-- (Al-Hashr 7)

Allah’s Messenger said:

“Whosoever loves my tradition, in-deed loves me and whosoever loves me will be with me in Paradise.” --(Trimdi)

At another occasion the Holy Prophet said: “One who is averse to my tradition, is not of me (has nothing to do with me).” He said: “One who imitates a nation is of them.”

The covering of ankles is Haraam (illegitimate) and a major sin by the unanimous agreement of the great religious scholars. Allah’s Messenger said: “The hanging of clothes below the ankles in pride is forbidden.”--(Bukhari)

He said: “Even if there is no pride, the covering of the ankles is forbidden.”--(Bukhari)

He said: “This is the sign of pride. And to adopt the habit of pride is forbidden. Therefore, the covering of the ankles is forbid-den.”--(Bukhari)

By covering the ankles one is deprived of the Mercy of Allah. Allah will not cast His Mercy on such a person.

It is incumbent for every mature, understanding male of sound mind to uncover his ankles, whether in prayer or not. Allah Al-mighty has said:

يَابَنِي آدَمَ قَدْ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكُمْ لِبَاسًا يُوَارِي سَوْآتِكُمْ وَرِيشًا وَلِبَاسُ التَّقْوَى ذَلِكَ خَيْرٌ

O Children of Adam, We have revealed unto you raiment to conceal your shame, and splendid restore, but the raiment of restraint from evil, that is best.” (Al-A’raf 26)

Abu Hurairah relates that Allah’s Messenger said: “On the Day of Judgment Allah will not look at the one who lets his trousers down out of pride.” (Bukhari, Mus-lim)

Abu Zarr said: “Such per-sons are doomed who are they, O Messenger of Allah?” The Holy Prophet replied: “One who lets out his apparels out of arrogance, one who reminds or makes a show of favours done by him to another, and one who sells his (inferior) wares with false oaths.”

Another version of Muslim adds: “One who lets down his pyjama or loin cloth.”

Ibn Umar relates that Allah’s Messenger said: “On Doomsday Allah will not look at a person who lets down his garment like loin cloth, pyjama, shirt by way of aroma.” (Abu Daud, Nasai)

Abu Saeed Khudri relates that the Holy Prophet has said: “The loin cloth of a Muslim should be up to the half length of the shin of the leg or at least between the shin and the ankle joint; however, there is no harm if it is above the ankles (or he said there is no sin). That which hangs below the ankles is destined for hell. Allah will not look to one who allows his trousers to flow out of vanity. (Abu Daud, Ibn Majah)

Abdullah ibn Umar relates: “Once I passed by Allah’s Messenger when my loin cloth was dangling. The Holy Prophet said to me: “Abdullah, pull up your loin cloth!” Accordingly I pulled it up a little. He said: “A little more.” So I pulled it up further. Since then I have always worn it high.” Some of his tribe asked: “How high?” He re-plied: “Halfway up the knees.”

Ibn Abbas relates that the kamis (shirt) of Allah’s Messenger was above his ankles.

Ibn Umar relates that the Holy Prophet said: ”One who lets loose his dress by way of pride, Allah will not look towards him on the Day of Judgment.” Upon hearing this, Abu Bakr submitted: “O Messenger of Allah! My loin cloth very often slips down unintentionally.” The Prophet said: “You are not one who does so by way of arrogance,” (Bukhari and Muslim have reported some portion of this tradition)

Abu Harairah reported that Allah’s Messenger said: “What-ever flows of the trousers below the ankles will be in the Fire.--(Bukhari)

Ibn Umar reported the Holy Prophet said: “Whosoever lets his trousers flow out of vanity, will be sunk down the earth while he will be muttering up to Resurrection Day.--(Bukhari)

We can deduce from the above Traditions that the Holy Prophet clearly stresses the importance of keeping the trousers above the ankles, and the severity of its’ punishment for one who does not take heed.

May Allah Almighty enable us to act upon the noble traditions of His Messenger. Amen.