The covering of Ankles
Allah Ta’ala says in the Quraan-e-Kareem: “And whatsoever the Messenger Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain from it, and fear Allah. Verily Allah is severe in punishment. (Surah 59 Verse 6 – 7)
Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said: “Whosoever loves my tradition, indeed loves me and whosoever loves me will be with me in Paradise.” (Tirmizi)
Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said: “One who is averse to my tradition, is not of me (has nothing to do with me).” Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said: “One who imitates a nation is of them.”
The covering of ankles is Haraam and a major sin by the unanimous agreement of the great and true Ulema and Mashaaikh. Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said: “The hanging of clothes below the ankles in pride is forbidden.” (Bukhari)
Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said: “Even if there is no pride, the covering of the ankles is forbidden”. (Bukhari)
Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said: “This is the sign of pride. And to adopt the habit of pride is forbidden. Therefore the covering of the ankles is forbidden.” (Bukhari)
By covering the ankles one is deprived of the Mercy of ALLAH. ALLAH will not cast His Mercy on such a person. (Mishkaat)
Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam made a statement regarding the cause of the punishment on the People of Loot Alayhis Salaam and this was because they used to cover their ankles. (Durre-Manthur)
It is incumbent for every mature, understanding male of sound mind to uncover his ankles, whether in Salaah (Prayer) or not, just the same way as it is incumbent to keep a fist’s length of beard. ALLAH TA’ALA the Exalted has said: Oh 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.” (7:26)
Hazrat Abu Hurairah RadhiALLAHu Anhu relates that Rasulullah Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam said: “On the Day of Judgement ALLAH will not Look at the one who lets his trousers down out of pride.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
Hazrat Abu Zarr RadhiALLAHu Anhu said: “Such persons are doomed, who are they Oh Messenger of ALLAH Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam?”
Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam replied: “One who lets out his apparels out of arrogance, one who reminds or makes a show of favors 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.”
Hazrat Ibn Umar RadhiALLAHu Anhuma relates that Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said: “On Doomsday ALLAH will not look towards a person who lets down his garment like loin cloth, pyjama, shirt by way of aroma.” (Abu Daud, Nasai)
Hazrat Abu Saeed Khudri RadhiALLAHu Anhu relates that Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam 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 trouser to flow out of vanity. (Abu Daud, Ibn Majah)
Hazrat Abdullah ibn Umar RadhiAllahu Anhu relates: “Once I passed by Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam when my loin cloth was dangling. Nabi Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam said to me: ?Abdullah, pull up your loin cloth!’ Accordingly I pulled it up a little. Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam 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 replied: “Halfway up the knees.”
Sayyidina Ibn Abbas RadhiAllahu Anhu relates that Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam stated that the qamis (kurta) of Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam was above the ankles. Allamh Shami says: “It should reach halfway up the calf.”
Hazrat Ibn Umar RadhiALLAhu Anhu relates that Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam 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, Hazrat Abu Bakr RadhiALLAHu Anhu submitted: “Oh Messenger of ALLAH Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam! My loin cloth very often slips down unintentionally.” Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said: “You are not one who does so by way of arrogance,” (Bukhari and Muslim have reported some portion of this tradition)
Hazrat Abu Harairah RadhiALLAHu Anhu reported that the Messenger of ALLAH said: “Whatever flows of the trouser below the ankles will be in the Fire. (Bukhari)
Ibn Umar RadhiALLAHu Anhu reported from Nabi Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam who said: “Whosoever let his trousers flow out of vanity, will be sunk down the earth while he will be muttering upto Resurrection Day. (Bukhari)
We can deduce from the above Traditions that the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam 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 TA’ALA enable us to act upon the Noble Traditions of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam – Aameen.
