ONE HADITH A DAY

Allah does not look at the one who drags his garment out of conceit

Agreed upon · Authentic

عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «لاَ يَنْظُرُ اللَّهُ إِلَى مَنْ جَرَّ ثَوْبَهُ خُيَلاَءَ».

“Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah does not look at the one who drags his garment out of conceit."”

Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) warned against lengthening the garment or the lower garment below the ankles by way of conceit and arrogance, pointing out that whoever does so will deserve the severe punishment that Allah will not look at him mercifully on the Day of Judgment.

Benefits

• The garment includes whatever covers the lower part of the body, such as trousers, a garment, a lower garment, etc.
• The prohibition of Isbāl (letting one's garment trail) is peculiar to men. An-Nawawi said: Scholars have unanimously agreed on the permissibility of Isbāl for women. It was authentically reported from the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) that he permitted women to extend their hems a forearm's length.
• Ibn Bāz said: Isbāl is forbidden and prohibited given the general indication of the Hadīth. As for the punishment, it varies and does not necessarily have to be the same; the one who intends conceit is not like the one who does not intend it.
• Ibn Bāz said: A woman is ‘Awrah (what must be covered), so there is no harm in extending her garment by a handspan, and if that is not sufficient, she may extend it by an arm’s length starting from the ankle.
• Al-Qādi said: Scholars said: In conclusion, anything in clothing that exceeds the need and customary length or width is disliked, and Allah knows best.
• An-Nawawi said: The recommended length for the lower end of the shirt or the lower garment is halfway down the shins. There is no blame for it being between that and the ankles. However, anything lower than that is in the fire. Therefore, the recommended length is halfway down the shins, the permissible without being disliked is below that up to the ankles, and anything lower than the ankles is forbidden.
• Ibn ‘Uthaymīn said regarding his statement: (Allah will not look at him), i.e., the look of mercy and compassion, not the general type of look, because nothing is hidden from Allah and nothing escapes His sight. Rather, it refers to the look of mercy and compassion.

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