Muslim

Hadith Commentary:
Vocabulary of the Hadith:
(1)
As-Samma’ (الصماء):
According to the linguists, its meaning is “mute and closed,”
in which the hands become bound and there is no way for them to come out,
thus a person cannot protect or defend himself in case of need. According to the jurists, its meaning is that a person covers his body with a single garment,
then lifts it from the front or the back and places it on his head, or lifts the sheet from one side and places it on his shoulder, due to which the private parts become exposed. This is prohibited because of the exposure of the private parts.

(2)
Ihtiba’ (إحتباء):
A person sits on his buttocks,
raises his shins upright, and wraps them with a garment,
that is, he ties a cloth or his hands around his knees,
and if this causes the private parts to become exposed, then it is impermissible.
If the private parts are not exposed, and the person is wearing trousers or a shirt and does so, then there is no harm in it.

Hadith Commentary:

Benefits and Issues:
➊ Lying on one's back with one leg raised and placed over the other knee is prohibited, because there is a possibility that the private parts may become exposed, and this posture is also not appropriate in terms of decorum.
➋ However, if one lies down with the legs extended and places one foot over the other, then there is no possibility or risk of the private parts being exposed, and this is permissible. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to lie down in this manner.
➌ Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman (radi Allahu anhum) also used to lie down in this way.

Explanation:
1: (Ishtimal as-Samma’):
This is when a person wraps a garment around his body in such a way that both hands are inside,
and it becomes difficult to move.

2: (Ihtiba’):
This is when a person sits on his buttocks and raises both shins, pressing them against his stomach, and then covers himself with a garment from above.
In this position, there is a risk that the private parts may become exposed.
And if one suddenly needs to stand up, it is not easy for the person to get up quickly.

Benefits and Issues:
In the first situation, a person cannot steady himself in any way; he may fall, and he cannot even defend himself from any harmful animal or insect. This posture is referred to as "boli bakl" in the Punjabi language. The second situation is prohibited when it causes one's private parts to become exposed. Sometimes, indecent people deliberately sit in this manner. However, if one sits in the posture of ihtiba’ (drawing up the knees and wrapping the arms around them) with proper covering and caution, it is permissible.

It is understood that if one is wearing full clothes and ties a knot with an extra piece of cloth in such a way that it has no effect on the covering (of the body), then there is no harm in it.

Hadith Authentication:
[وأخرجه مسلم 2099/70، من حديث ما لك ورواه 2099/72، من حديث الليث بن سعدعن ابي الزبير به]

Jurisprudential Points
➊ Islam is a complete religion in which there are clear or general instructions regarding every aspect of life. And all praise is due to Allah.
➋ Satan eats with his left hand and this is his distinctive sign; therefore, in Islam, eating or drinking with the left hand (without a valid Islamic excuse) is prohibited.
● A person was eating with his left hand, so the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: «كُل بيمينك» “Eat with your right hand.” That person arrogantly replied, “I do not have the ability to eat with my right hand.” The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “May Allah not give you the ability.” After that, he was never able to raise his right hand to his mouth for the rest of his life, i.e., his right hand became paralyzed. See: [صحيح مسلم : 2021 وترقيم دارالسلام : 5268]
➌ Islam is the standard-bearer of modesty and demands it; therefore, all those ways and means should be adopted by which a person’s honor and chastity remain protected and a person does not become exposed or humiliated.
➍ Exposing the private parts in front of others without a valid Islamic reason is forbidden.
➎ Walking with only one shoe is pointless, ridiculous, and contrary to dignity.
➏ One should completely avoid all such actions whose result is immorality, indecency, and frivolity.
➐ It is unanimously obligatory to conceal the private parts from the gaze of people. [التمهيد 171/12]
It is necessary and obligatory to act upon those matters which the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) commands to do, and to refrain from whatever he forbids. Allah the Exalted says: «وَمَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانتَهُوا» Whatever the Messenger gives you, take it; and whatever he forbids you from, abstain from it. [59-الحشر : 7]