Baring the Ankles During Prayers… In my country (Pakistan), when we stand for prayers, we are told to roll up our trousers or shalwars [1] up the ankle. Our maulvis [2] say that your ankle must be naked otherwise your prayers will not be accepted. I don’t think so my Islam is so rigid but if there is anything about it please, do let me know. Abdul Waheed, Pakistan Reply It has been reported in a number of narratives ascribed to the Prophet (pbuh) that the Prophet (pbuh) condemned those who let their leg-coverings drag behind them on the ground. This condemnation was primarily due to the fact that such dragging of the lower portion of the leg-covering was, in fact, a symbol of arrogance and pride in the social environment of the Arabs of the times of the Prophet (pbuh), as is evidenced by some of the reported narratives. It was due to this reason that the Prophet (pbuh) directed the Muslims to keep the length of their leg-coverings in check and not let them slide below their ankles. It is in this context that the Prophet (pbuh) admonished the Muslims who remained unmindful of their leg-coverings, even after the Prophet’s directives. Some important aspects of this directive need to be kept in mind while drawing any conclusions from these directives. The directive of the Prophet (pbuh) relates basically to a social symbol of pride and arrogance. It was due to this reason that when Abu Bakr (ra) brought his problem to the Prophet (pbuh), informing him that his leg-covering normally slides down from his waist and, thus, covers his ankles, the Prophet (pbuh) categorically stated that his directive related to those who intentionally let their leg-coverings drag on the ground, as a symbol of arrogance. The directive did not relate to people like Abu Bakr (ra), who had a genuine problem due to which his leg-covering would unintentionally slide down and cover his ankle. Nasaaiy reports on the authority of Abd Allah ibn Omar : The Prophet (pbuh) said: Whoever lets his dress drag, as a show of arrogance and pride, shall be deprived of God’s [merciful] attention on the Day of Resurrection. Abu Bakr [who heard the Prophet say that] said: O Prophet of Allah, one of my problems is my dress. It keeps sliding down, unless I keep pulling it up. Is such sliding down of the dress also condemnable? The Prophet (pbuh) said: You are not one of those who would do it [3] as a show of arrogance. The Arabs normally would wear a dhoti like open dress, which, if let to hang below ones ankles, would drag behind the person as a train. This was taken as a symbol of arrogance, pride and carefree attitude of a person. Trousers (pants) and Shalwaar if they hang below one’s ankles [4] , contrary to dhoti and/or tehmud [5] , do not give the same impression as was (and is) conveyed by dhoti and the likes. Keeping the stated aspects of the reported directive of the Prophet (pbuh) in perspective, it seems highly questionable to apply the stated directive on trousers, pyjamas and/or Shalwaars or their likes. I would further like to add that even if someone is persistent in applying the directives to all kinds of leg-coverings, including pants, slacks, pyjamas and shalwaars , it is important to note that the directive of the Prophet (pbuh) does not relate specifically to prayers only. On the contrary, the directive of the Prophet (pbuh) relates to the dress code, in general. In other words, according to the narratives ascribed the Prophet (pbuh), the Prophet (pbuh) has not said that a person should not let his leg-coverings hang below his ankles during Sala’h . The Prophet (pbuh), on the contrary, is reported to have condemned people who let their leg-coverings drag below their ankles, in general. This really means that even if the directive of the Prophet (pbuh) is construed to be applicable to all kinds of leg-coverings, they should not only be pulled above the ankles during prayers only, they should actually be kept above the ankles at all times. Relating the stated directive ascribed to the Prophet (pbuh) only to prayers is not supported by any of the said narratives. To summarize, in my opinion, the directive of the Prophet (pbuh) does not relate to leg-coverings like pants, pyjamas, shalwaar or the like. Thus, it is not essential for a person to keep his pants, pyjamas, shalwaars etc. pulled above his ankles [6] . The directive of the Prophet (pbuh) would nevertheless apply to dresses like dhoti, tehmud etc. I hope this helps. Regards, Moiz Amjad Home Page [1] A kind of a pyjama, tied with a string at the waist, with extremely loose fitting from the thighs down to the ankles, normally worn in the Sub-Continent, especially in Pakistan. [2] Generally used for those who lead the daily and the Jum`ah prayers. [3] i.e. drag his dress behind him. [4] However, even if the trouser or the shalwar is allowed to drag on the ground, it certainly is a sign of the uncouthness of a person, even if not a symbol of arrogance. [5] A dhoti -like sheet of cloth, open at the botton, wrapped around the legs. [6] However, it would still not be advisable for anyone to let his leg-coverings drag on the ground, for reasons of cleanness.