Q: There is a Hadith in which the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said what means that whoever lengthens and trails his clothes is to be thrown in Hellfire. We lengthen our clothes below the ankles, not out of pride but just as a custom. Is our act Haram (prohibited)? Will the one who lengthen and trail his clothes while believing in Allah be cast in Hellfire? Guide us, may Allah reward you well!
A: It was authentically reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: The part of an Izar (garment worn below the waist) which hangs below the ankles is in the Fire. (Related by Imam AlBukhari in his Sahih [Authentic Hadith Book])He (peace be upon him) also said: Three persons whom Allah shall neither speak to on the Day of Resurrection, nor look at, nor purify, and they shall have a painful torment: the one who lets his Izar hang below his ankles (out of pride), the one who reminds (the people) of what he gives, and the on who sells his merchandise by false swearing. (Related by Imam Muslim in his Sahih)There are so many Hadiths carrying the same meaning, which prove the impermissibility of Isbal (lengthening and trailing clothing below the ankles) at all, even if one claims that he does not intend pride and arrogance, for this may lead to arrogance and is a kind of extravagance and exposing clothes to dirt and impurities. However, if arrogance is intended, the sin is more grave, for the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Anyone who trails his garment on the ground out of pride, Allah will not look at him on the Day of Resurrection. The allowable limit is till the ankles; it is not permissible for the Muslim to lower his clothes below the ankles, based on the abovementioned Hadiths. However, a woman should wear long clothes that cover her feet.
As for what was authentically reported that AlSiddiq (Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him) said to the Prophet (peace be upon him): 'My Izar slips down if I do not pay attention to it.'
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'You are not one of those who do it out of pride.' The meaning is that whoever trails his garment unintentionally and keeps on raising it is not to be included in the admonition of the Prophet (peace be upon him), since he does not do this on purpose or out of conceit and since he does not let it trail but keeps on raising it. On the contrary, whoever intends to trail his garment is to be accused of conceit and his act is a means for this. Allah Alone (Glorified be He) knows what lies in the hearts. The Prophet (peace be upon him) generally warned in his Hadiths against Isbal without excluding the one who trails his garment without conceit. The Muslim must keep away from the forbidden acts and the causes of Allah's Anger and abide by the Limits of Allah, hoping for reward and fearing punishment. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:
And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ) gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it). And fear Allâh; verily, Allâh is Severe in punishment. And: These are the limits (set by) Allâh (or ordainments as regards laws of inheritance), and whosoever obeys Allâh and His Messenger (Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ) will be admitted to Gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise), to abide therein, and that will be the great success. And whosoever disobeys Allâh and His Messenger (Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴـﻪ ﻭﺳـﻠﻢ), and transgresses His limits, He will cast him into the Fire, to abide therein; and he shall have a disgraceful torment.
May Allah guide Muslims to what pleases Him and to what keeps them upright in religious and worldly matters. Indeed, He is the Best One to be asked.