I live in England. It would seem odd to fold my trouser. What is the ruling on this?
Question
Dear Honorable scholar, there are various hadiths that prohibit trouser to be below Ankle with severe punishments. I would like to understand this hadith and its application in England, as it would look quite odd to either fold your trousers or wear it so they are above your ankles, also what should be done for the Prayer (fold the ankles, leave them as it is or wear them so they don’t hang below).
Answer
Honorable brother,
The matter of attire is related to traditions and customs. In Islamic law, there is no objection to wearing any type of garments so long as it covers the parts of the body the must be concealed ('awra), does not incite temptation (fitna) or arouse sexual desires. Imam al-Nawawi and other scholars maintained that the cause behind prohibiting letting one's garments hang below the ankle is connected to pride and arrogance. Therefore, in the absence of pride or arrogance, there is no objection to letting garments fall below the ankles if it is the custom of certain a people and it is not obligatory to fold up the hems or wear short trousers when performing prayers.