Written by: Ash-Shaykh Mubashshir Ahmad Rabbani (ḥafiẓahullāh)
Is it permissible to fold the cuffs of one’s shirt sleeves during Salah? Please clarify based on Hadith.
Folding the cuffs of one’s shirt sleeves during Salah is strictly prohibited, as stated by Imām al-Muḥaddithīn, Imām al-Bukhārī (رحمه الله) in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī.
ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās (رضي الله عنهما) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
"I have been commanded to prostrate on seven parts of the body, and also commanded not to gather the hair or the clothes (during Salah)."
— [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Book of Adhān, Chapter: Prostrating on Seven Parts, 810]
It has been observed that during prayer, many people tend to adjust their hair or clothes repeatedly. Such actions are against the spirit of Salah, which requires full concentration and humility.
While engaged in Salah, all focus must be directed towards the worship, and one must abstain from movements or actions that are unrelated to prayer.
✔ Folding sleeves (cuffs) or adjusting garments during Salah is impermissible
✔ The Prophet (ﷺ) explicitly forbade such actions
✔ The worshipper must remain still and attentive during Salah
❖ Question:
Is it permissible to fold the cuffs of one’s shirt sleeves during Salah? Please clarify based on Hadith.
❖ Answer:
Folding the cuffs of one’s shirt sleeves during Salah is strictly prohibited, as stated by Imām al-Muḥaddithīn, Imām al-Bukhārī (رحمه الله) in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī.
ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās (رضي الله عنهما) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
"I have been commanded to prostrate on seven parts of the body, and also commanded not to gather the hair or the clothes (during Salah)."
— [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Book of Adhān, Chapter: Prostrating on Seven Parts, 810]
❖ Explanation:
It has been observed that during prayer, many people tend to adjust their hair or clothes repeatedly. Such actions are against the spirit of Salah, which requires full concentration and humility.
While engaged in Salah, all focus must be directed towards the worship, and one must abstain from movements or actions that are unrelated to prayer.
❖ Summary:
✔ Folding sleeves (cuffs) or adjusting garments during Salah is impermissible
✔ The Prophet (ﷺ) explicitly forbade such actions
✔ The worshipper must remain still and attentive during Salah
