Does isbal (letting one's garment hang below the ankles) include the thobe, the izaar (lower garment), and trousers? Is a Muslim sinful if he practices isbal out of fear of harm from disbelievers in non-Islamic countries like Russia? And is he rewarded if he shortens his garment and is then subjected to harm by disbelievers? Is the hadith "The prayer of a person whose garments are musbil (hanging low) is not accepted" authentic, and what is its wording and takhreej (authentication and source)? What is meant by the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: ((Whatever is below the ankles is in the Hellfire))? Is this an eternal (stay in Hellfire) or temporary punishment, and does it apply to the ankles or the entire person? Are these issues considered secondary, especially for someone living in a disbelieving country?
"Al-isbal" (letting garments hang below the ankles) includes trousers, thobes (long shirts/dresses), and "izars" (waist wraps). Scholars have differed regarding the authenticity of the hadith, "Indeed, Allah does not accept the prayer of a man whose garment hangs below his ankles," with some deeming it authentic and others weak. It is more prudent not to pray with a garment that hangs below the ankles. Al-isbal is permissible out of necessity, such as fearing harm from disbelievers or due to a wound. However, this does not mean that al-isbal is a trivial matter, for "what is below the ankles of the foot shall be in the Fire" as a punishment for the one who practices al-isbal, though this does not imply eternal damnation in the Fire. It is obligatory to obey Allah and His Messenger and to avoid what He has forbidden.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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