AL-ISBAAL

 

CAN TROUSERS GOING BELOW ANKLE BE REGARDED AS AL-ISBAAL?

Al-Isbaal generally covers trousers; lower garments, shirts and everything people wear, in the lifetime of the Prophet most people used to wear Izaar and Alardiyah (loose outer garments, robe, and cloak e.t.c). But when people started wearing shirts and trousers, the same ruling or prohibition applied to the dragging of Izaar was applied.

As-shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen said in Sharh Riyadh us saliheen that; wearing the Thobe, robe or trousers below the ankles is (Haraam) unlawful”. 

As-shaykh ibn Baaz was asked the following questions; we see some shortening the Thobes and lengthening their trousers! What is your view about this Oh Shaykh; may Allaah the exalted bless you?

He said; "The Sunnah is that the clothing should be worn, all of it, at what is between the middle of the shin and the ankle. It is not allowed to be worn below the ankle according to the saying of the Messenger (peace be upon him); "the part of the izar that is below the ankle is in fire". (Saheeh Al Bukhari).

From the words of the great scholars and evidences from the words of the Prophet, it is concluded that whatever clothing hangs below the ankle be it trousers or not constitutes Al-Isbaal.

OTHER REASONS WHY LOWERING OF TROUSERS BELOW THE ANKLE IS FORBIDDEN

It is an imitation of women

In Al-Islaam, the dress code for men is to keep the garment above the knee and for women it is to keep it well below the ankle, so is a man who drags the garment below the ankle not practicing the act of women?

As-shaykh Ibn Taymiyyah said; the imitation (of others) in the outward appearance produces a proportional assumption of their deeds and the manners. That is why we are ordered to oppose the khuffars and that is why men and women are prohibited from imitating one another.

It is an imitation of khuffars

It is evident in our surroundings that majority of the Khuffars do not live a life guided by sound religious teachings, as such, it is found in them diverse modes of dressing, and one of such is the dragging of the trousers below the ankles for Men.

Allaah said in the Holy Quraan; "And the Jews and Christians will never be pleased with you until you follow their path, say: Indeed the path of Allaah is the (truthful) path. And if you follow their desires after the knowledge has come to you, there is one you have as supporter and helper besides Allaah". (Sooratul Baqorah, verse 120)

Lowering the trousers is extravagance

Allaah the exalted says in the Holy Quraan; "And eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allaah) likes not those who are extravagant". (Sooratul AlAraaf verse 31)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said; "Eat, drink, wear clothes and give alms without extravagance and without conceit".

Ibn Abbas said; Eat what you wish and wear what you wish if you can avoid two things, extravagance and conceit (Saheeh AlBukhari)

Lowering of garments leads to being unclean.

One of the attributes of Allaah is cleanliness, as He loves what is clean and loves His servants to be in a state of cleanliness always.

Ubaid ibn Khalid said; I was walking trailing my garment and a man spoke to me saying; pull up your garment for that would keep it more clean and it will last longer. I looked at the man and he was the Prophet (peace be upon him). I said; It is only a black and white stripped outer garment. He said; dont you have an example in me? I said; I looked at him and his garment was extending to the middle of his shin. (Ash Sharmaail Al Muhammadiyah 97, authenticated by shaykh AlAlbani). 

SOME COMMON FAULTY STATEMENTS ON AL-ISBAAL

It is the Sunnah, it is not compulsory!

Glory be to Allaah, the exalted. The speaker is apparently ignorant and we ask Allaah to guide him. The how to of some compulsory acts of worship were after being mentioned in the Holy Quraan, explained well in the words and acts of the Messenger and were authentically reported in various narrations, so how then do we say the Sunnah is not compulsory? 

The Sunnah is an inseparable, compulsory aspect of the deen which all Muslims must live their lives by.  

It was the practice then of the people of Desert

May Allaah guide us all. Even merely considering the punishment attached to the practice of Al-Isbaal, should make one reflect if truly that punishment was made aside only for the people of the desert. The Messenger of Allaah was sent to the whole world and not the people of Desert alone!

We ask you to get over your desires and adhere firmly to the Sunnah of the Prophet, the righteous path of Al-Islaam.

It is degrading for me to wear such outside

We seek refuge in Allaah from Shaytoon and his whisperings.

We ask you, who would you rather be shy of The Creator or the created?

Who do you owe your life to and direct all forms of worship to, The Creator or the created?

Rather than say such grievous statements, ask Allaah to increase you in humility and make the religion easy for you to practice. 

The believers would be witnesses on the Day of Judgment, and also ignorance remains no longer as an excuse with the arrival of knowledge to an individual.   

My Parents or some other person would not allow me

We tell you; even your parents have no control over your creation. Pray to Allaah to make it easy upon you and make your parent or person agree with you, pray they should even adopt it as well!

Allaah says; Oh you who have believed, seek help in patience and prayer. Indeed Allaah is with the patient ones (Sooratul Baqorah, verse 45).

Allaah also says; Nothing befalls you from any tribulation except by the will of Allaah (Sooratul At-toghooboon, verse 11).

In view of this, one evidence would be enough for whoever seeks true guidance and various evidences would never be enough for the one who holds to desires.

As-shaykh ibn Uthaymeen said; if you find the Sunnah to be a burden, then know that your heart is sick. And what else is a better cure for a sick heart than the Holy Quraan.

We ask Allaah (Subhanahu wa taaala) to make the religion easy upon us all and heal our hearts of it illnesses, and to make this admonition count for us and not against us. Aameen