Section5: Ruling on Isbaal
First topic: Ruling of doing Isbaal with arrogance
It is forbidden to allow the lower garment to drag on the floor (Isbaal) [285] Isbaal: Extending the garment to be below the ankles. See: (al-Nihaayah) by Ibn Al-Atheer (2/339), (Sharh Al-Nawawee on Muslim) (14/62), (Al-Majmoo’) by Al-Nawawee (4/457). boastfully, and this is by the agreement of the four schools of jurisprudence: the Hanafis, [286] (Al-Fataawaa al-Hindiyyah) (5/333). the Maalikis, [287] (Mawaahib al-Jaleel) by Al-Hattaab (1/220), (Haashiyat Al-‘Adawee on the Kifaayah al-Taalib ar-Rabbaanee) (2/452). the Shafi’ees, [288] (Al-Majmoo’) by Al-Nawawee (4/454), (Rawdat Al-Talibeen) by Al-Nawawee (2/69). and the Hanbalis. [289] (Sharh Muntahaa Al-Iraadaat) by Al-Buhootee (1/158), (Kashshaaf Al-Qinaa) by Al-Buhootee (1/277).
Evidence from the Sunnah:
1. Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) stated, “One who drags his clothes arrogantly, then Allah will not look at him on the day of Judgement.” [290] Narrated by Al-Bukhaaree (3665) and the wording is his, and Muslim (2085).
2. Jaabir bin Sulaim (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) stated, “ … You must refrain from dragging the lower garment, which is part of arrogance (makheelah) [291] Its definition has already been given before. , and Allah does not like arrogance … ” [292] It was narrated by Abu Dawood (4084) and Al-Bayhaqee (21623). Al-Thahabi said in (Al-Muhadhdhab) (8/4253): Some of it has chains of transmission from Jabir, and its chain of transmission is good, and Al-Albanee graded it authentic in “Saheeh Sunan Abi Dawood” (4084), and Al-Waadi’ee said in “Al-Saheeh Al-Musnad” (202): It rises to the level of being saheeh.
The relevance in both hadeeths:
Both hadeeths indicates that Isbaal (extending the lower garment down to below the ankles) out of arrogance is not permitted and that it is among the major sins. [293] (Majmoo’ Fataawaa of Ibn Baz) (8/275).
Second topic: Ruling of doing Isbaal without arrogance for men
It is forbidden for men to do Isbaal of the clothing, even if it is not out of arrogance and this is a narration according to the Hanbalis, [294] (Al-Insaaf) by Al-Mardaawee (1/333). Ibn Hazm, [295] Ibn Hazm said: (And as for the one whose garment is dropping down until touches his ankle, it is obligatory for him to raise it). (Al-Muhallaa) (2/392). Ibn al-Arabi, [296] Ibn al-‘Arabee said: (It is not permissible for a man to allow his dress to go beyond his ankles, and he says: I am not arrogant about it, because the prohibition takes that consideration verbally, and addresses its reason. Thus, to the apparent meaning does not take the hukm. He says: “I am not among the ones who adheres to this as I do not have the legal reason (arrogance) within me.” This is going against the Shariah, and it is a claim that cannot be accepted, due to his arrogance he is extending his garment and lower clothing and his lie in this regard is known. (‘Aaridah Al-Ahwathee) (7/238). Ibn Taymiyyah, [297] Ibn Taymiyyah said: (Certainly, lowering the garment below the angles and dragging are forbidden by agreement, and the hadeeths about it are plenty, and it is forbidden according to the correct view). (Iqtidaa as-Siraat al-Mustaqeem) (p. 383). Ibn Hajar, [298] Ibn Hajar said: (In these hadeeths it is a great sin to lower a garment out of arrogance, and as doing the isbaal not out of arrogance, it is apparent in the hadeeths that it is forbidden). (Fath Al-Baaree) (10/263). al-San’aanee, [299] He authored a book about it, and he called it: (The fulfilment of the sayings regarding the prohibition of al-Isbaal for men/Iteefaa al-Aqwaal fee Tahreem al-Isbaal lil Rijaal). Ibn Baaz, [300]Ibn Baaz said: (These two hadeeths make it clear that it is not permissible for a man to do Isbaal, and that if done with arrogance, then it is a more severe a sin and a greater crime). (Fataawaa of Ibn Baaz) (8/275). Ibn Uthaymeen. [301] Ibn Uthaymeen said: (The correct view is that it is forbidden, whether it is with arrogance or not. Rather, the correct view is that it is a major sin). (Explanation of Riyaadh as-Saliheen) (4/287)
Evidence from the Sunnah:
1. Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said, “Whatever is below the ankles of the lower garment, which is in the hellfire.” [302] Narrated by Al-Bukhaaree (5787).
2. Aboo Dharr al-Ghifaaree (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) who stated, “I heard the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) saying, ‘There are three people to whom Allah will neither speak on the Day of Resurrection nor at whom will look nor purify them (i.e., of their sins), and they will be severely tormented.’ When he repeated this (statement) thrice, Aboo Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) said, ‘They are doomed and destroyed! (But) who are they, O Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)?’ He said, "One whose lower garment trails [below the ankles], one who boasts of kindness shown to another; and one who promotes sale of his business by taking false oaths." [303] Narrated by Muslim (106).
The relevance in both hadeeths:
These two hadeeths point towards the fact that it is not permissible to do the Isbaal of clothes for men unconditionally and it is a severe sin if it is done with arrogance. [304] Majmoo’ Fataawaa bin Baaz (8/275).
Requirement: Shortening the dress for a man
It is desirable for a man to shorten his lower garment and dress to half the calf which is the view of most jurists: the Hanafis, [305] (Al-Durr Al-Mukhtaar by Al-Haskafee and Haashiyat Ibn Abideen) (6/351), (Al-Fataawaa Al-Hindiyyah) (5/333). the Maalikis, [306] (Hashiyat al-‘Adawi on Kifaayah at-Taalib ar-Rabbanee) (2/453) and see: (Al-Thakheerah) by Al-Qaraafee (13/265). and the Shafi’ees. [307] (Mughnee Al-Muhtaaj) by Al-Sharbeenee (1/309), (Nihaayah Al-Muhtaaj) by Al-Ramlee (2/382) and see: (Sharh Al-Nawawee ‘Alaa Muslim) (14/62), (Asnaa Al-Mataalib) by Zakaria Al-Ansaaree (1/279), (Al-Mihaaj al-Qaweem, Sharh Al-Muqaddimah Al-Hadramee) by Ibn Hajar Al-Haythamee (p.: 190).
Evidence from the Sunnah:
Aboo Sa’ee al-Khudree (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) stated, “The way for a believer to wear a lower garment is to have it halfway down his legs and he is guilty of no sin if it comes anywhere between that and the ankles, but what comes lower than the ankles are in Hell. [On the day of Resurrection], Allah will not look at him who trails his lower garment arrogantly.” [308] It was narrated by Aboo Dawood (4093), and the wording is his, and Al-Nasaa’i in “Al-Sunan Al-Kubraa” (9717), Ibn Maajah (3573), and Ahmad (11397). It was authenticated by Ibn Daqeeq al-‘Eed in al-Iqtiraah (116), and its chain of transmission was authenticated by al-Nawawee in al-Majmoo’ (4/457), al-Dhahabee in al-Kabeer (397), and al-Albaanee graded it as authentic in Saheeh Sunan Abee Dawood.(4093).
The relevance:
The hadeeth indicates that it is desirable for the lower garment to be up to the half of the leg (calf). [309] See: (Awn al-Ma’bood) by al-‘Azeemabadee (11/103).
Third topic: Ruling on Isbaal for women
It is permissible for a woman to do Isbaal. [310] Provided that it does not exceed the arm's length as stated in a hadeeth.
Evidence:
First: From the Quran
The statement of Allah, “Let them not stomp their feet, drawing attention to their hidden adornments.” (Al-Noor: 31)
The relevance:
The verse is a textual evidence that the legs and calves are among the body parts that are hidden, and it is not permissible to reveal them, [311] (Al-Muhallaa) by Ibn Hazm (3/216). and this concealment can only happen by having an extended dress.
Second: From the Sunnah
Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) stated, “Whoever arrogantly drags his garment [below the ankles], Allah will not look at him on the Day of Judgement.” So Umm Salamah said, “What should the women do with their hems?” He said, “Slacken them a handspan.” So, she said, “Then their feet will be uncovered.” He said, “Then slacken them a forearm's length and do not add to that.” [312] Narrated by al-Tirmidhee (1731), al-Nasaa’i (5336), and Ahmad (5173). Al-Tirmidhee said: It is Hasan Saheeh, and its chain of transmission was authenticated by Ahmad Shaakir in the verification of “Al-Musnad” (7/140), and it was classed as authentic by Al-Albaanee in “Saheeh Al-Tirmidhee” (1731).
Third: From the consensus (Ijmaa’ )
The consensus on that was transmitted by Al-Nawawi, [313] Al-Nawawee said: (Scholars are unanimously agreed that it is permissible for women to let loose the hems to an arm’s length. (Sharh Al-Nawawee ‘Alaa Muslim) (14/62). Al-Teebee, [314] Al-Teebee said: (They are unanimously agreed that it is permissible for women to do Isbaal). (Sharh al-Mishkaat) (9/2893). Al-Harawee, [315] Al-Harawee said: (They were unanimously agreed that it is permissible for women to do Isbaal and it is authentically narrated from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) the permission for them to slacken their hems). (Mirqaat Al-Mafaateeh) (7/2767). Al-Munaawee, [316] Al-Munaawee said: (They are unanimously agreed that women’s Isbaal is permissible). (Fayd al-Qadeer) (2/278). Ibn Raslaan, and Al-Shawkaanee agreed with him. [317] Al-Shawkaanee said: (The Muslims are unanimously agreed that it is permissible for women to do Isbaal, as stated by Ibn Raslaan in Sharh al-Sunan). (Nayl Al-Awtaar) (2/132) and see: (‘Awn Al-Ma’bood) by Al-‘Azeemabadee (11/96).
Requirement: Lengthening the tail of the [wedding] dress for the bride
It is permissible to lengthen the tail of the [wedding] dress for the bride, on the condition that it does not exceed an arm’s length and that there is no resemblance in it with the unbelieving women. It is the statement of Ibn Baaz. [318] Ibn Baaz was asked: (What do you think of the wedding dress that the bride pulls behind her, about three meters long? He replied: As for what is related to a woman, the Sunnah is to add an inch to her dress, and not exceed an arm's length, for the sake of covering and not showing the feet; and as for the increase on an arm’s length, it is objectionable to the bride or others, and it is not permissible, and this an unlawful waste of money in expensive clothes. It is important to be moderate regarding the clothing. There is no need to stud it with things that waste the great wealth that benefits the nation in its religion and worldly affairs). (Majmoo’ Fataawaa of Ibn Baaz) (4/121)
Evidence:
First: from the Sunnah
Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) stated, “Whoever arrogantly drags his garment [below the ankles], Allah will not look at him on the Day of Judgement.” So Umm Salamah said, “What should the women do with their hems?” He said, “Slacken them a handspan.” So, she said, “Then their feet will be uncovered.” He said, “Then slacken them a forearm's length and do not add to that.” [319] The hadeeth has already been cited before. Al-Baajee said: (The saying of Umm Salamah, may Allah be pleased with her, when the prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) mentioned the lower garment - meaning what is lower than that below the ankles] is in the fire: “And for a woman, O Messenger of Allah?” Meaning: A woman needs to let her lower garment loose below the ankles to cover her feet and calves, because that is an ‘awrah for her. Thus, he said: “Let her extent by a handspan.” He means: to loosen it onto the ground by a handspan, to cover her feet and above that of her legs. This implies that Arab women did not wear leather socks or normal socks, they wore sandals instead, or they walked with nothing. They can restrict to hide their legs by lowering the hems. Allah knows best. And what she said - may Allah be pleased with her- about loosening the tail by a handspan: then it becomes uncovered, she means: that it is not sufficient for her in what she is covering, because moving her legs at the speed of her walking and shortening the tail can expose her leg. When that became clear to the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), he said: “So increase to a cubit, do not add to it.” This implies that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) only permitted from it what was permitted due to necessity, and this word “do” and he meant after the prohibition, however, it requires the meaning of obligation, because he forbade the lowering of the tail, then he commanded a woman to lower that part that covers her, and that [lowering] is obligatory, and it is not permissible for a woman to leave what she is covering with. (Al-Muntaqaa Sharh al-Muwattaa) (7/226, 227 (1731).
Second: Because what exceeds an arm’s length is a waste of money without a right concerning expensive clothes. [320] (Majmoo’ Fataawaa of Ibn Baaz) (4/121)
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