Ruling on Wudu (Ablution) When Garment Hangs Below the Ankles
If someone’s trouser or lower garment hangs below the ankles, does it invalidate wudū (ablution)? Kindly provide evidence.
Shaykh ʿAbd al-Wakeel Nāṣir ḥafiẓahullāh
Research Scholar Asadullah Bhumbhoy ḥafiẓahullāh
Narrated by Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه):
“A man was praying with his lower garment (izār) hanging below his ankles. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to him: ‘Go and perform wudū again.’
He went and performed ablution, returned, and the Prophet ﷺ again said: ‘Go and perform wudū again.’
This happened three times.
Another man asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, why did you instruct him to perform wudū but then stayed silent?’
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
‘He was offering prayer while his garment was hanging below the ankles. Indeed, Allah does not accept the prayer of a man whose izār is below his ankles.’”
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 638)
❖ Some scholars’ view:
Based on this narration, some scholars opine that wearing a garment below the ankles breaks the wudū.
❖ Correct view of the majority:
Most scholars state that this action does not invalidate wudū.
It is considered a major sin, and may affect the acceptance of prayer, but it does not nullify ablution.
✔ According to Shaykh al-Albānī and many other scholars, this ḥadīth is weak (ḍaʿīf).
✔ Even if considered authentic, the Prophet ﷺ’s command to repeat wudū was likely for admonition (tahdīd), not because the wudū was nullified.
✔ The majority of scholars do not consider lowering the garment below the ankles as one of the nullifiers of wudū.
✿ Wearing clothes below the ankles does not invalidate wudū.
✿ It is, however, a major sin and may affect the acceptance of prayer.
✿ One should avoid such practices out of piety and obedience to the Sunnah.
وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
Question:
If someone’s trouser or lower garment hangs below the ankles, does it invalidate wudū (ablution)? Kindly provide evidence.
Answer by:
Shaykh ʿAbd al-Wakeel Nāṣir ḥafiẓahullāh
Research Scholar Asadullah Bhumbhoy ḥafiẓahullāh
Evidence from Hadith:
Narrated by Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه):
“A man was praying with his lower garment (izār) hanging below his ankles. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to him: ‘Go and perform wudū again.’
He went and performed ablution, returned, and the Prophet ﷺ again said: ‘Go and perform wudū again.’
This happened three times.
Another man asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, why did you instruct him to perform wudū but then stayed silent?’
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
‘He was offering prayer while his garment was hanging below the ankles. Indeed, Allah does not accept the prayer of a man whose izār is below his ankles.’”
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 638)
Explanation:
❖ Some scholars’ view:
Based on this narration, some scholars opine that wearing a garment below the ankles breaks the wudū.
❖ Correct view of the majority:
Most scholars state that this action does not invalidate wudū.
It is considered a major sin, and may affect the acceptance of prayer, but it does not nullify ablution.
Authenticity of the ḥadīth:
✔ According to Shaykh al-Albānī and many other scholars, this ḥadīth is weak (ḍaʿīf).
✔ Even if considered authentic, the Prophet ﷺ’s command to repeat wudū was likely for admonition (tahdīd), not because the wudū was nullified.
✔ The majority of scholars do not consider lowering the garment below the ankles as one of the nullifiers of wudū.
Summary:
✿ Wearing clothes below the ankles does not invalidate wudū.
✿ It is, however, a major sin and may affect the acceptance of prayer.
✿ One should avoid such practices out of piety and obedience to the Sunnah.
وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
