Clarification of the stronger position regarding the ruling on the prayer of one who lets his garment hang below the ankles, and of one who prays in forbidden clothing, such as stolen clothes or clothes containing images.

The Shaykh : The correct opinion among the scholars is that the prayer of one who lets his garment hang below the ankles is valid, but he is sinful. The same applies to one who wears a garment that is forbidden for him, such as a garment he stole and then prayed in, or a garment containing images, such as a cross, or images of animals. All of this is forbidden to wear in prayer and outside of prayer. If he prays, the prayer is valid, but he is sinful for wearing it. This is the stronger opinion in this issue, because the prohibition here is not specific to prayer; that is, wearing the forbidden garment is general, applying in prayer and elsewhere, so it is not specific to prayer and does not invalidate it. This is the principle adopted by the majority of the scholars (may Allah have mercy on them), and it is the correct principle. If this hadith were authentic, it would settle the dispute, but it is weak. Because of its weakness, some said the prayer of one who lets his garment hang below the ankles is valid, while those who deemed it authentic said the prayer of one who lets his garment hang below the ankles is not valid. In any case, a person must fear Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and not take His blessings as a means to His anger, may Allah protect us from that. Indeed, if one openly defies Allah, and it is told to him that the garment hanging below the ankles is forbidden and among the major sins, but he does not care about this, then he has used Allah’s blessing to commit disobedience to Allah. We ask Allah for well-being for us and for you.