Source: Fatāwā ‘Ilmiyyah (Tawdīḥ al-Aḥkām), Vol. 2, p. 504
Question:
Keeping the trousers above the ankles is a Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ. If a person wears socks, is it still necessary to keep the trousers above the ankles? Or is it permissible for the trousers to be over the socks, covering the ankles?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh. Amā ba‘d!
In the pure Sharī‘ah, keeping the trousers or lower garment above the ankles is not only Sunnah but is supported by clear and authentic Aḥādīth.
The objective is that the garment itself should not be below the ankles.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"ما أسفل من الكعبين من الإزار ففي النار"
“Whatever of the lower garment is below the ankles is in the Fire.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 5787)
Wearing socks is completely permissible. This practice is established from the Ṣaḥābah and is supported by multiple authentic Aḥādīth.
In fact, performing masḥ (wiping) over them during wuḍū’ is proven from the Sunnah.
The purpose of the Sharī‘ah ruling is not to leave the ankles bare, but to ensure that the garment (trousers or lower garment) is not below the ankles.
Therefore, even if a person is wearing socks, he should still keep the trousers above the ankles, even if the ankles are covered by the socks.
◈ Keeping the trousers or lower garment above the ankles is Sunnah.
◈ Even when wearing socks, the trousers should still be kept above the ankles.
◈ Wearing socks is permissible and is related to covering, comfort, or weather—not to the Sunnah of garment length.
Hādhā mā ‘indī, wallāhu a‘lam biṣ-ṣawāb.
Question:
Keeping the trousers above the ankles is a Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ. If a person wears socks, is it still necessary to keep the trousers above the ankles? Or is it permissible for the trousers to be over the socks, covering the ankles?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh. Amā ba‘d!
Keeping the Trousers or Lower Garment Above the Ankles
In the pure Sharī‘ah, keeping the trousers or lower garment above the ankles is not only Sunnah but is supported by clear and authentic Aḥādīth.
The objective is that the garment itself should not be below the ankles.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"ما أسفل من الكعبين من الإزار ففي النار"
“Whatever of the lower garment is below the ankles is in the Fire.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 5787)
Ruling on Wearing Socks
Wearing socks is completely permissible. This practice is established from the Ṣaḥābah and is supported by multiple authentic Aḥādīth.
In fact, performing masḥ (wiping) over them during wuḍū’ is proven from the Sunnah.
Balancing Between the Trousers and Socks
The purpose of the Sharī‘ah ruling is not to leave the ankles bare, but to ensure that the garment (trousers or lower garment) is not below the ankles.
Therefore, even if a person is wearing socks, he should still keep the trousers above the ankles, even if the ankles are covered by the socks.
Summary of the Ruling
◈ Keeping the trousers or lower garment above the ankles is Sunnah.
◈ Even when wearing socks, the trousers should still be kept above the ankles.
◈ Wearing socks is permissible and is related to covering, comfort, or weather—not to the Sunnah of garment length.
Hādhā mā ‘indī, wallāhu a‘lam biṣ-ṣawāb.
