The Prayer Behind an Innovator and One Who Lets His Garment Hang Below the Ankles
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Q: Is the prayer valid behind an innovator and one who lets his garment hang below the ankles?
A: Yes, the prayer is valid behind an innovator and behind one who lets his garment hang below the ankles, and behind other sinners, according to the most correct of the scholars' opinions, provided that the innovation does not render its practitioner a disbeliever. If it does render him a disbeliever, such as a Jahmi or similar to those whose innovations take them out of the circle of Islam, then the prayer behind them is not valid. However, it is obligatory for those in charge to choose for the position of imam one who is free from innovation and open sinfulness, and whose conduct is praiseworthy, because the imamate is a great trust, and the one who holds it is a role model for the Muslims. Therefore, it is not permissible for the people of innovation and open sinfulness to assume it if there is the ability to appoint someone else.
Letting the garment hang below the ankles is among the sins that must be abandoned and guarded against; because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sunan an-Nasa'i 5331Sahih (Darussalam) narrated by al-Bukhari in his Sahih. And whatever is other than the lower garment has the same ruling as the lower garment, such as the shirt, trousers, the overcoat, and the like. It is authentically reported from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: Sunan Abi Dawud 4087Sahih (Al-Albani) narrated by Muslim in his Sahih.
And if dragging the lower garment and the like is done out of arrogance, then that is more severe in sin and closer to immediate punishment; because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1731Sahih (Darussalam).
It is obligatory for every Muslim to guard against what Allah has forbidden him, such as letting the garment hang below the ankles and other sins, just as it is obligatory for him to guard against all innovations; because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih Muslim 1718b narrated by Muslim in his Sahih, and because he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Sahih Muslim 867a also narrated by Muslim.
We ask Allah for ourselves and for all Muslims to be saved from innovations and sins, for He is the best of those asked.
A: Yes, the prayer is valid behind an innovator and behind one who lets his garment hang below the ankles, and behind other sinners, according to the most correct of the scholars' opinions, provided that the innovation does not render its practitioner a disbeliever. If it does render him a disbeliever, such as a Jahmi or similar to those whose innovations take them out of the circle of Islam, then the prayer behind them is not valid. However, it is obligatory for those in charge to choose for the position of imam one who is free from innovation and open sinfulness, and whose conduct is praiseworthy, because the imamate is a great trust, and the one who holds it is a role model for the Muslims. Therefore, it is not permissible for the people of innovation and open sinfulness to assume it if there is the ability to appoint someone else.
Letting the garment hang below the ankles is among the sins that must be abandoned and guarded against; because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Whatever of the Izar comes below the ankles is in the Fire.
ما أسفل من الكعبين من الإزار فهو في النارNarrated Abu Dharr: The Prophet (ﷺ) as saying: There are three to whom Allah will not speak and at whom He will not look on the Day of Resurrection, and whom He will not declare pure, and they will have a painful punishment. I asked: Who are they, Messenger of Allah, they are losers and disappointed ? He repeated it three times. I asked: Who are they. Messenger of Allah, they are losers and disappointed ? He replied: The one who wears a trailing robe, the one who takes account of what he gives, and the one who produces a ready sale of a commodity by false swearing.
ثلاثة لا يكلمهم الله ولا ينظر إليهم يوم القيامة ولا يزكيهم ولهم عذاب أليم المسبل إزاره والمنان فيما أعطى والمنفق سلعته بالحلف الكاذبAnd if dragging the lower garment and the like is done out of arrogance, then that is more severe in sin and closer to immediate punishment; because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Whoever arrogantly drags his garment, Allah will not look at him on the Day of Judgement.
من جر ثوبه خيلاء لم ينظر الله إليه يوم القيامةIt is obligatory for every Muslim to guard against what Allah has forbidden him, such as letting the garment hang below the ankles and other sins, just as it is obligatory for him to guard against all innovations; because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
He who did any act for which there is no sanction from our behalf, that is to be rejected.
من عمل عملًا ليس عليه أمرنا فهو ردThe best of the speech is embodied in the Book of Allah, and the best of the guidance is the guidance given by Muhammad. And the most evil affairs are their innovations; and every innovation is error.
خير الحديث كتاب الله وخير الهدي هدي محمد ﷺﷺ وشر الأمور محدثاتها وكل بدعة ضلالةWe ask Allah for ourselves and for all Muslims to be saved from innovations and sins, for He is the best of those asked.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.