Is shortening one's garments to mid-calf, including trousers, a Prophetic Sunnah? And is fearing people's mockery if I shorten my garment considered minor shirk? What about exposing the shins in winter while people are wearing concealing clothes? And how do I deal with embarrassing questions from family regarding this matter?

The ruling on *isbal* (letting clothes hang below the ankles) includes trousers and other garments. *Isbal* in the *izar* (lower garment), shirt, and turban out of arrogance is (forbidden), according to the saying of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: "Isbal in the *izar*, shirt, and turban; whoever drags any of them out of arrogance, Allah will not look at him on the Day of Resurrection." The *izar* of a Muslim is to mid-calf, and there is no harm in (it reaching) between that and the ankles. The *izar* of a believer is to the muscle of his calves, then to mid-calf, then to his ankles. What is below that is in the Fire. There is no harm for the questioner to lengthen his trousers to below the ankles; this is not disliked, but rather recommended, and it is emphasized if one is bothered by not doing so in severe cold. Not every disobedient person is guilty of minor *shirk* (polytheism). Rather, the types of minor *shirk* are limited to sins that the Shariah has explicitly called *shirk*, such as swearing by other than Allah, or intending to show off.