Following an Imaam whose trousers is below his ankles

Q: Is it permissible to follow an Imaam whose trousers is below his ankles and will the Salaah be valid?

A: Severe warnings have been sounded in the Ahaadith for the one who wears his trousers/kurta (garment) below his ankles.

وعن أَبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال لا ينظر الله يوم القيامة إلى من جر إزاره بطرا (رواه البخاري 2/861)

Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radiallahu Anhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “On the day of resurrection, Allah Ta’aala will not look (with ​mercy) at those who allowed their garments to hang below their ankles out of pride.”


وعنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال ما أسفل من الكعبين من الإزار ففي النار (رواه البخاري 2/861)

Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, that portion of the garment, which hangs below the ankles, would burn in the fire (of Jahannum).

You should in a polite and gentle manner, advise the Imaam that he should wear his clothing according to the Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Those performing salaah behind such an Imaam will not be sinful by performing salaah behind him. Instead, the sin will be upon the Imaam as well as those who appointed him as the Imaam. Though performing salaah with one’s pants hanging below the ankles is impermissible, the salaah of the Imaam as well as those following him will be valid.

وإسبال الإزار والقميص بدعة ينبغي أن يكون الإزار فوق الكعبين إلى نصف الساق وهذا في حق الرجال ... إسبال الرجل إزاره أسفل من الكعبين إن لم يكن للخيلاء ففيه كراهة تنزيه كذا في الغرائب (الفتاوى الهندية 5/333)

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)