It is mentioned in Sahih Muslim, Book of clothes and adornment, Chapter: The Prohibition Of Letting One’s Garment Drag Out Of Pride, And The Extent To Which It Is Permissible To Let It Hang Down And The Extent To Which It Is Recommended
Ibn ‘Umar reported:
حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو الطَّاهِرِ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي عُمَرُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ، وَاقِدٍ عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ مَرَرْتُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَفِي إِزَارِي اسْتِرْخَاءٌ فَقَالَ ” يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ ارْفَعْ إِزَارَكَ ” . فَرَفَعْتُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ ” زِدْ ” . فَزِدْتُ فَمَا زِلْتُ أَتَحَرَّاهَا بَعْدُ . فَقَالَ بَعْضُ الْقَوْمِ إِلَى أَيْنَ فَقَالَ أَنْصَافِ السَّاقَيْنِ .
I happened to pass before Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon bin) with my lower garment trailing (upon the ground). He said: ‘Abdullah, tug up your lower garment,, I tugged it up, and he again said: Tug it still further, and I tugged it still further and I went on tugging it afterward, whereupon some of the people said: To what extent? Thereupon he said: To the middle of the shanks. [Sahih Muslim 5200]
In this hadith It is shown it is recommended to tug up the lower garment to the middle of the shanks, It is not wajib. Ibn Umar ra himself cleared this as mentioned in Sahih Muslim in the same chapter.
Muslim b. Yannaq reported that Ibn Umar saw a person trailing his lower garment, whereupon he said:
مِمَّنْ أَنْتَ فَانْتَسَبَ لَهُ فَإِذَا رَجُلٌ مِنْ بَنِي لَيْثٍ فَعَرَفَهُ ابْنُ عُمَرَ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِأُذُنَىَّ هَاتَيْنِ يَقُولُ “ مَنْ جَرَّ إِزَارَهُ لاَ يُرِيدُ بِذَلِكَ إِلاَّ الْمَخِيلَةَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ”
From whom do you come? He described his relationship (with the tribe he belonged) and it was found that he belonged to the tribe of Laith. Ibn. Umar recognised him and said: I heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) with these two ears of mine saying: He who trailed his lower garment with no other intention but pride, Allah would not look toward him on the Day of Resurrection. [Sahih Muslim 5197]
Ibn Umar ra himself cleared by narrating a hadith it is regarding the one who trailed his lower garment with no other intention but pride.
In the same chapter there is another hadith which states:
Abu Huraira reported that
وَرَأَى، رَجُلاً يَجُرُّ إِزَارَهُ فَجَعَلَ يَضْرِبُ الأَرْضَ بِرِجْلِهِ وَهُوَ أَمِيرٌ عَلَى الْبَحْرَيْنِ وَهُوَ يَقُولُ جَاءَ الأَمِيرُ جَاءَ الأَمِيرُ . قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَنْظُرُ إِلَى مَنْ يَجُرُّ إِزَارَهُ بَطَرًا ”
he saw a person whose lower garment had been trailin. and he was striking the ground with his foot (conceitedly). He was the Amir of Bahrain and it was being said:
Here comes the Amir, here comes the Amir. He (Abu Huraira) reported that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: Allah will not look toward him who trails his lower garment out of pride. [Sahih Muslim 5201]
Abu Huraira ra clears by quoting the hadith that it is not allowed with pride. This is also the opinion of Imam Abu Hanifa and Ibn Taymiyyah.
Ibn Muflih said
قَالَ صَاحِبُ الْمُحِيطِ مِنْ الْحَنَفِيَّةِ وَرُوِيَ أَنَّ أَبَا حَنِيفَةَ – رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ – ارْتَدَى بِرِدَاءٍ ثَمِينٍ قِيمَتُهُ أَرْبَعُمِائَةِ دِينَارٍ وَكَانَ يَجُرُّهُ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ فَقِيلَ لَهُ أَوَلَسْنَا نُهِينَا عَنْ هَذَا؟ فَقَالَ إنَّمَا ذَلِكَ لِذَوِي الْخُيَلَاءِ وَلَسْنَا مِنْهُمْ، وَاخْتَارَ الشَّيْخُ تَقِيُّ الدِّينِ – رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ – عَدَمَ تَحْرِيمِهِ وَلَمْ يَتَعَرَّضْ لِكَرَاهَةٍ وَلَا عَدَمِهَا.
Author of al Muheet among the Hanafiyah said that: Abu Haneefah (may Allaah be pleased with him) wore an expansive rida’ and let it drag on the ground. It was said to him: Are we not forbidden to do this? He said: That is for those who show off and we are not among them. Shaykh Taqiy al-Deen (Ibn Taymiyah – may Allaah have mercy on him) favoured the view that it is not haraam, but he did not mention whether it is makrooh or not. [al-Adaab al-Shar’iyyah (3/521)]
Following are the names and evidences of some Muhadditheen among the Majority.
1. The opinion of Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal Rahimaullah
Imam Ahmad was asked:
قلت: جر الإزار وإسبال الثوب في الصلاة؟
قال: إذا لم يرد به الخيلاء فلا بأس به. قال رسول الله – صلى الله عليه وسلم -: “من جر ثوبه من الخيلاء”.
Regarding dragging the garment and letting the garments below the ankles while praying?
He replied: If this is without arrogance then there is no harm in it. Prophet peace be upon him said: (Allah will not look on the Day of Judgment at him) who lets his garment drag on the ground out of pride and arrogance.” [Masail Imam Ahmad wa Ishaq:3349]
2. The opinion of Ishaq bin Rahwyy
Imam Ishaq bin Rahwyy is on the same opinion [Masail Imam Ahmad wa Ishaq:3349]
3. The opinion of Imam Bukhari
Imam al Muhadditheem Imam Bukhari Rahimaullah made a chapter in his Saheeh.
(باب من جرّ إزاره من غير خيلاء)
“Chapter: Whoever dragged his Izar without conceit
a) Allama al-Ayni Hanafi rahimullah commented:
أَي: هَذَا بَاب فِي بَيَان حكم من جر إزَاره من غير قصد التخييل، فَإِنَّهُ لَا بَأْس بِهِ من غير كَرَاهَة
This chapter means there is no harm in dragging the garment without arrogance and it is not disliked. [Umdatul Qari vil 21 page 296]
b) Qastalani said:
باب من جرّ إزاره من غير خيلاء لا بأس به.
The chapter “Whoever dragged his Izar without conceit” means there is no harm in it.[Irshad al Saree Sharah as-Saheeh al Bukhari 8/417]
c) Hafidh Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani Rahimaullah consider letting the garments below the ankles to be haram in every situation but he said regarding this chapter of Sahih al Bukhari:
قَوْلُهُ بَابُ مَنْ جَرَّ إِزَارَهُ مِنْ غَيْرِ خُيَلَاءَ)أَيْ فَهُوَ مُسْتَثْنًى مِنَ الْوَعِيدِ الْمَذْكُورِ
“Chapter: Whoever dragged his Izar without conceit” meaning they are not included in this warning.”
After that Hafidh Ibn Hajar pointed out regarding his discussion on this topic that if it is with excuse then it is fine otherwise its discussion is coming later.
It is the own opinion of Hafidh Ibn Hajar which he pointed out, whereas the opinion of Imam al-Bukhari rahimaullah is clear from the chapter he made in which the condition of “without arrogance” is clear and there is no need of taweel in it.
d) Hafidh al Iraqi
Hafidh al-Iraqi who was teacher of Ibn Hajar is on the same opinion that of Imam al Bukhari, He said to prove his opinion:
وَبَوَّبَ الْبُخَارِيُّ فِي صَحِيحِهِ بَابَ مَنْ جَرَّ إزَارَهُ مِنْ غَيْرِ خُيَلَاءَ
Imam al Bukhari made a chapter in his Saheeh “Whoever dragged his Izar without conceit” [Tarh at-Tartheeb 8/173]
4. The opinion of Ibn Hibban
He mentioned a chapter after quoting these ahadeeth.
ذِكْرُ الْعِلَّةِ الَّتِي مِنْ أَجْلِهَا زُجِرَ عَنْ هَذَا الْفِعْلِ
The dhikr of that thing due to which there is rebuking on this practice i.e. dragging the garments [Saheeh Ibn Hibban 12/260]
In this chapter he mentioned the hadith of arrogance and then right after that mentioned the chapter:
ذِكْرُ الْخَبَرِ الْمُفَسِّرِ لِلَّفْظَةِ الْمُجْمَلَةِ الَّتِي تَقَدَّمَ ذِكْرُنَا لَهَا
“Chapter regarding the khabar which is Mufassir in its words for which we concisely mentioned earlier”
In this chapter he quoted the hadith of Abu Bakr ra[Saheeh Ibn Hibban 12/261]
In a hadith it is mentioned that Allah will not speak on the Day of Resurrection with “مسبل” One who lets down his lower garments (below his ankels) out of arrogance.
The word مسبل is a general word, Ibn Hibban said in its commentary
أَرَادَ بِهِ الْمُسْبِلَ إِزَارَهُ خُيَلَاءَ
One who plan to let down his lower garment (below his ankels) out of arrogance [Saheeh Ibn Hibban 11/272]
5. The opinion of Ibn Qudama
Ibn Qudama said
وَيُكْرَهُ إسْبَالُ الْقَمِيصِ وَالْإِزَارِ وَالسَّرَاوِيلِ؛ لِأَنَّ النَّبِيَّ – صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ – أَمَرَ بِرَفْعِ الْإِزَارِ. فَإِنْ فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ عَلَى وَجْهِ الْخُيَلَاءِ حَرُمَ، لِأَنَّ النَّبِيَّ – صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ – قَالَ: «مَنْ جَرَّ ثَوْبَهُ خُيَلَاءَ لَمْ يَنْظُرْ اللَّهُ إلَيْهِ» . مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ.
It is disliked to hang the shirt, lower garment and Pant below the ankles because Prophet peace be upon him ordered to let the lower garment above the ankles, If it is out of arrogance then it is prohibited because Prophet peace be upon him said: “Allah will not look on the Day of Judgment at him who lets his garment drag on the ground out of pride and arrogance.” Agreed upon. [al Mughni 1/418]
6. Imam Ibn Battal Rahimaullah said under the commentary of hadith of Abu Bakr
وفى حديث أبى بكر بيان أن سقط ثوبه بغير قصده وفعله ولم يقصد بذلك الخيلاء فإنه لا حرج عليه فى ذلك، لقوله عليه السلام لأبى بكر: (لست ممن يصنعه خيلاء) ألا ترى أن النبى عليه السلام جر ثوبه حين استعجل المسير إلى صلاة الخسوف، وهو مبين لأمته بقوله وفعله. وقد كان ابن عمر يكره أن يجر الرجل ثوبه على كل حال وهذه من شدائد ابن عمر، لأنه لم تخف عليه قصة أبى بكر وهو الراوى لها، والحجة فى السنة لا فى ما خلفها
It is mentioned in the hadith of Abu Bakr that his lower garment came down without intention and his plan was not arrogance in this practice, there was no harm in it because Prophet peace be upon him said to Abu Bakr:
“You are not one of those who do that out of conceit.”
Don’t you see that Prophet peace be upon him got up dragging his garment (on the ground) hurriedly for the prayer of eclipse. He peace be upon him cleared for his ummah with his sayings and practice that without arrogance this is allowed….
[Sharah Saheeh al Bukhari 9/87]
7. Ibn Abdul Barr said in the commentary of hadith
لَا يَنْظُرُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ إِلَى مَنْ جَرَّ ثَوْبَهُ خُيَلَاءَ
“Allah will not look on the Day of Judgment at him who lets his garment drag on the ground out of pride and arrogance.”
He said:
وَهَذَا الْحَدِيثُ يَدُلُّ عَلَى أَنَّ مَنْ جَرَّ إِزَارَهُ مِنْ غَيْرِ خُيَلَاءَ وَلَا بَطَرٍ أَنَّهُ لَا يَلْحَقُهُ الْوَعِيدُ الْمَذْكُورُ غَيْرَ أَنَّ جَرَّ الْإِزَارِ وَالْقَمِيصِ وَسَائِرِ الثِّيَابِ مَذْمُومٌ عَلَى كُلِّ حَالٍ وَأَمَّا الْمُسْتَكْبِرُ الَّذِي يَجُرُّ ثَوْبَهُ فَهُوَ الَّذِي وَرَدَ فِيهِ ذَلِكَ الْوَعِيدُ الشَّدِيدُ
This hadeeth indicates that the one who lets his garment drag for a reason other than pride and arrogance is not subject to the warning mentioned, but letting the izaar, chemise and any other garment drag is blameworthy in all cases. This warning is for the one who out of arrogance drag his garments. [at-Tamheed by Ibn Abdul Barr 3/288]
8. Abu Waleed al Baji al-Andalusi said under this hadith:
يَقْتَضِي تَعَلُّقَ هَذَا الْحُكْمِ بِمَنْ جَرَّهُ خُيَلَاءَ أَمَّا مَنْ جَرَّهُ لِطُولِ ثَوْبٍ لَا يَجِدُ غَيْرَهُ أَوْ عُذْرٍ مِنْ الْأَعْذَارِ فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَتَنَاوَلُهُ الْوَعِيدُ.
The order in this hadith requires that it is for the one who drag his garments out of arrogance, and the one who drag his long garments without pride in which there is no other thing or there is excuse for it then he does not come under this warning. [al Muntaqa Sharah al Mawatta 7/255]
9. Imam Nawawi
He said regarding those ahadith in which the warning is mentioned without pride.
كَمَا جَاءَ مُفَسَّرًا فِي الْحَدِيثِ الْآخَرِ لَا يَنْظُرُ اللَّهُ إِلَى مَنْ يَجُرُّ ثَوْبَهُ خُيَلَاءَ وَالْخُيَلَاءُ الْكِبْرُ وَهَذَا التَّقْيِيدُ بِالْجَرِّ خُيَلَاءَ يُخَصِّصُ عُمُومَ الْمُسْبِلِ إِزَارَهُ وَيَدُلُّ عَلَى أَنَّ الْمُرَادَ بِالْوَعِيدِ مَنْ جَرَّهُ خُيَلَاءَ وَقَدْ رَخَّصَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي ذَلِكَ لِأَبِي بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ وَقَالَ لَسْتَ مِنْهُمْ إِذْ كَانَ جَرُّهُ لِغَيْرِ الْخُيَلَاءِ
As it is mentioned in other Mufassir hadith that “Allah will not look on the Day of Judgment at him who lets his garment drag on the ground out of pride and arrogance.” This hadeeth clears the other general hadith in which there is warning for the one who lets his garments below the ankle generally. This is evidence that whoever does this out of pride he comes under this warning and Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) gave consession to Abu Bakr (may Allaah be pleased with him) that: “You are not one of them. i.e., those who let the garment hang down out of pride. [Sharah Saheeh Muslim 2/116]
If someone says Ibn al Arabi refuted Imam an-Nawawi then we say Hafidh al Iraqi refuted Ibn al Arabi [see Tarh at-Tartheeb 8/173]
10. Qadhi Iyaad Maaliki
He said in the commentary of Saheeh Muslim
وتخصيص جرّه على وجه الخُيلاء يدلُ أن من جرَّه لغير ذلك فليس بداخل تحت الوعيد ، وقد رخص فى ذلك النبى ( صلى الله عليه وسلم ) لأبى بكر الصديق – رضى الله عنه – وقال : السْتَ منهم)
This hadith is did takhsees of a general hadith of dragging the garments that it is for the one who do it out of pride, and who does this without pride he does not come under this warning, because Prophet peace be upon him gave consession to Abu Bakr (may Allaah be pleased with him) that: “You are not one of them. i.e., those who let the garment hang down out of pride. [Ikmal al Muallim 1/257]
Response to an argument.
Prophet peace be upon him said:
وَإِسْبَالَ الْإِزَارِ، فَإِنَّهُ مِنَ الْمَخِيلَةِ
Beware of trailing the lower garment, for it is conceit. [Abu Dawud, Ibn Hibban and others]
a) The commentary of Ibn Hibban on this hadith.
The meaning of this hadith is mentioned by Ibn Hibban himself who said after narrating this hadith:
وَالزَّجْرُ عَنْ إِسْبَالِ الْإِزَارِ زَجْرُ حَتْمٍ لِعِلَّةٍ مَعْلُومَةٍ وَهِيَ الْخُيَلَاءُ، فَمَتَى عُدِمَتِ الْخُيَلَاءُ، لَمْ يَكُنْ بِإسْبَالِ الْإِزَارِ بَأْسٌ
The anger is shown due to letting the lower garments below the ankles then it is regarding for the known reason that is pride, there is no harm in letting the garments below the ankles without conceit.[Sahih Ibn Hibban 2/281 under the hadith 522]
b) Qadhi Shawkani said regarding this hadith:
وَأَنَّ الْإِسْبَالَ قَدْ يَكُونُ لِلْخُيَلَاءِ، وَقَدْ يَكُونُ لِغَيْرِهِ فَلَا بُدَّ مِنْ حَمْلِ قَوْلِهِ ” فَإِنَّهَا الْمَخِيلَةُ ” فِي حَدِيثِ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ أَنَّهُ خَرَجَ مَخْرَجَ الْغَالِبِ
sometimes Isbaal is done with pride and other time it is not done because of pride. It is a must that the hadith “for it is conceit” means often. [Neyl al Awtaar 2/112]
then he said:
وَالْقَوْلُ بِأَنَّ كُلَّ إسْبَالٍ مِنْ الْمَخِيلَةِ أَخْذًا بِظَاهِرِ حَدِيثِ جَابِرٍ تَرُدُّهُ الضَّرُورَةُ، فَإِنَّ كُلَّ أَحَدٍ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّ مِنْ النَّاسِ مَنْ يُسْبِلُ إزَارَهُ مَعَ عَدَمِ خُطُورِ الْخُيَلَاءِ بِبَالِهِ، وَيَرُدُّهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ قَوْلِهِ – صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ – لِأَبِي بَكْرٍ لِمَا عَرَفْت
And the saying that every Isbaal is conceit as it is apparent in the hadith of Jabir, necessity refutes this (meaning) because everyone knows that there are people who do this without pride, and what Prophet peace be upon him said to Abu Bakr ra, this refutes the saying as it is known.[Neyl al Awtaar 2/112]
The practice of Salaf as-Saliheen on letting their lower garments below the ankles
It should be known that the order of Prophet peace be upon him is not only for lower garments rather it is regarding all the clothes (shirt, jubba etc). The athaar of Sahaba and Tabiyeen are as follows:
1. Umar ibn al Khattab
Umar ra used to trail his cloth without any reason, a narration states:
فَسَمِعَ ذَلِكَ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ وَهُوَ فِي بَيْتِهِ فَخَرَجَ يَجُرُّ رِدَاءَهُ
‘Umar b. al-khattab (Allah be pleased with him) heard it while he was in his house and came out trailing his cloak [Sunan Abu Dawud no. 499]
2. Umar bin Abdul Aziz Rahimaullah
It is mentioned in Musannaf Ibn Abi Shayba
عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ مُهَاجِرٍ، قَالَ: «كَانَتْ قُمُصُ عُمَرَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ وَجِبَابُهُ مَا بَيْنَ الْكَعْبِ، وَالشِّرَاكِ
The shirt and Jubba of Umar bin Abdul Aziz was in between ankles and laces. [Musannaf Ibn Abi Shayba 24839]
Note that It is prove from Prophet peace be upon him that the order of lower garment that of shirt and Amama, and it only means without pride it is allowed.
3. Ata bin Abi Rabah
It is mentioned in Sunan Abu Dawud
عن ابن جُريج قال: أكثرُ ما رأيتُ عطاءً يُصلِّي سادلاً
Ibn Juraij said; I often saw ‘Ata praying while letting his garment trail. [Sunan Abu Dawud no. 644]
Imam al Bayhaqi said in its commentary
وكأنه نسي الحديث أو حمله على أن ذلك إنما لا يجوز للخيلاء وكان لا يفعله خيلاء
Maybe he forgot the hadith or he consider trailing the garments prohibited only when it is done by pride, and he used to trail without pride. [Sunan al Kubra al Bayhaqi 2/343]
It is wrong to say that he forgot the hadith because of two reasons.
a) Ata bin Abi Ribah used to do it often.
b) The narration of prohibition is weak rather Imam Abu Dawud even said:
قال أبو داود: وهذا يضعف ذلك الحديث
This (practice of ‘Ata’) weakens the tradition (narrated by Abu Hurairah).[Sunan Abi Dawud 644]
4. Ibraheem an-Nakhee
It is mentioned in al Musannaf Ibn Abi Shayba
عَنْ مُغِيرَةَ، قَالَ: «كَانَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ قَمِيصُهُ عَلَى ظَهْرِ الْقَدَمِ
Mugheerah said: The shirt of Ibraheem used to be on top of his feet [al Musannaf Ibn Abi Shayba: 24845]
5. Ayyub Sakhtiyani
Hammad said:
“أمرَنِي أيّوب أن أقطعَ له قميصاً قال : اجعلْه يضرِبُ ظَهْرَ القدم
Ayyub ordered me to cut his shirt and said: cut it like the way so that it can come on top of my feet. [al Ilal by Imam Ahmad 841]
Another narration states:
كانت الشهرة فيما مضى في تذييلها و الشهرة اليوم في تقصيرها (مصنف عبدالرزاق وغیرہ)
Previously lowering the garment below ankles was considered as pride, now if the garment is above the ankles it is considered as pride. [Musannaf Abdul Razzaq and other books of hadith]
Those who want to see the evidences of other side see here:
http://islamqa.info/en/72858