The Book of Adornment - Sunan an-Nasa'i 5332

"I heard Sa'eed bin Jubair narrate from Ibn 'Abbas that the Prophet [SAW] said: 'Allah will not look at the Musbil (the one who lets his Izar come below the ankles).'"

Commentary on the Prohibition of Isbal

This hadith from Sunan an-Nasa'i contains a severe warning against isbal - the practice of letting one's garment extend below the ankles. The term "Musbil" refers specifically to one who practices this prohibited act.

The phrase "Allah will not look" denotes divine displeasure and rejection. In Islamic terminology, when Allah "does not look" at someone, it signifies deprivation of divine mercy, protection, and acceptance of deeds. This is among the most serious warnings in prophetic traditions regarding clothing etiquette.

The prohibition applies to men specifically, as established in other authentic narrations. Scholars explain that isbal manifests either as arrogance - which makes the sin greater - or mere negligence of the sunnah. In both cases, the practice remains forbidden, though the severity of punishment differs based on intention.

The wisdom behind this prohibition includes: preventing resemblance to women's dress, maintaining cleanliness of garments, demonstrating modesty, and avoiding wasteful extravagance in clothing. The proper sunnah length for men's lower garments is at or above the ankles.

Scholarly Consensus and Exceptions

There is consensus among the four schools of jurisprudence regarding the prohibition of isbal for men out of pride. The Hanbali school considers it haram regardless of intention.

Exceptions exist for valid reasons such as necessity, protection from mud or dirt, or if one's garment naturally extends slightly beyond the ankles without intention of isbal. However, these exceptions do not negate the general prohibition.

This teaching emphasizes that Islamic dress code is not merely about covering awrah, but encompasses modesty, practicality, and distinction from non-Islamic practices - all being acts of worship when performed in compliance with divine guidance.