The ruling on letting garments hang below the ankles, and the criterion for the length to which a garment is shortened in a given country

Question:
Sa'id al-Sayyid says: We have some students of knowledge who deny the shortening of garments, and they say that it is not obligatory. I hope you will clarify the ruling on this matter fully, because the youth may be misled by such statements from these people.

Answer:
Shortening the garment to the ankles is obligatory, and letting the garment hang below the ankles is forbidden; it is isbal (letting the garment drag) and a major sin among the major sins. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "What is below the ankles is in the Fire." He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: As for shortening the garment above the ankles to the middle of the shin, there is nothing wrong with that. However, it is better for a person to follow what the people of his country do, provided it does not contradict the Sunnah. If the people of his country wear their garments to the ankles, he should wear his to the ankles, because they are following the Sunnah, and there is no need to oppose them in that, lest the person become known among them for opposing them. And if they wear their garments to the middle of the shin, he should wear his like theirs and not oppose them. Yes, because all of this is Sunnah, and praise be to Allah. What is to the middle of the shin and what is between that and the ankles, all of this is Sunnah. The only forbidden thing is what hangs below the ankles. Yes.