Is isbal haram without arrogance?

Walekumussalam,

For men, allowing the pajama, shalwar, trousers, or any other garment to extend below the ankles is known as Isbal. The Prophetic Hadiths contain warnings and prohibitions concerning this practice. The key distinction in this matter is whether the garment is worn below the ankles out of arrogance or without arrogance.

1. The Ruling on Wearing Garments Below the Ankles Without Arrogance

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

مَا أَسْفَلَ مِنَ الْكَعْبَيْنِ مِنَ الْإِزَارِ فَفِي النَّارِ۔

Translation: “Whatever part of the lower garment extends below the ankles is in the Fire.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Libas, Hadith 5787)

This Hadith contains a warning against wearing a garment below the ankles, and it does not explicitly restrict the warning to cases involving arrogance. Therefore, the absence of an intention to be arrogant does not, by itself, establish that Isbal is permissible in every circumstance.

2. The Prohibition of Wearing Garments Out of Arrogance

Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

مَنْ جَرَّ ثَوْبَهُ خُيَلَاءَ لَمْ يَنْظُرِ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ۔

Translation: “Whoever drags his garment out of arrogance, Allah will not look at him on the Day of Resurrection.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Libas; Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Libas wa al-Zinah)

This Hadith establishes a particularly severe warning against wearing garments out of arrogance.

3. The Incident of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him)

Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) explained to the Prophet ﷺ that his lower garment sometimes slipped down unless he continually adjusted it. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ replied:

إِنَّكَ لَسْتَ مِمَّنْ يَصْنَعُهُ خُيَلَاءَ۔

Translation: “You are not among those who do that out of arrogance.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 3665 and 5784)

This incident demonstrates the distinction between a garment slipping down unintentionally and deliberately wearing it in a manner associated with arrogance. However, it does not establish unrestricted permission to deliberately wear garments below the ankles.

4. The Ruling According to Hanafi Jurisprudence

Hanafi scholars, considering the Hadiths concerning both the general prohibition and arrogance, have stated that deliberately wearing garments below the ankles is makruh tahrimi (prohibitively disliked), even when arrogance is not intended. Wearing them out of arrogance carries a more severe warning.

Some other scholars consider the intention of arrogance to be a fundamental condition for the prohibition. However, according to the Hanafi position, the general wording of the Hadiths necessitates avoiding Isbal even without an intention of arrogance.

And Allah knows best.