بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
This question was directed to shaykh Bin Baz may Allah have mercy upon him.
Q: We witness some people shorten their thowbs but lengthen the middle eastern style pants (worn under the thowbs). What is your opinion with respect to this, may Allah bless you with success?
A: The Sunnah (with regards to men) is that all their garments should be between half the shin and the ankles, and it is not permissible to extend them below the ankles. This is due to the Prophet’s -sallahu alayhi wa salaam- statement, “Whatever is beneath the ankles from one’s izar is in the fire.” Narrated by Al Bukhari in his authentic collection. There is no difference between middle eastern style pants (worn under thowbs), the izar, the shirt, the bist (the thin coat like garment worn over thowbs) which in the arabic language is called an abaa’ah (cloak or gown). The Prophet -sallahu alayhi wa salaam- only mentioned the izar as an example and not from the aspect of specification (or restriction to that item). So what is best is that the garments be shortened, reaching half the shin due to his -sallahu alayhi wa salaam- statement, “The izar of the believer is to half the shin.”
Source: تحفة الإخوان بأجوبة مهمة تتعلق بأركان الإسلام
Translated by Najeeb Al Anjelesi
Other proofs not mentioned in this fatwa that point to the fact that the ruling is not restricted to a specific garment but all garments worn by men.
1: The Prophet -sallahu alayhi wa salaam- said, “Dragging the garments is (applicable in) the izar, the shirt (any upper garment even if it goes below the waist), and the turban. Whoever drags any thing (below the ankles) from them arrogantly, Allah will not look to him on the day of resurrection.” Collected by Abu Dawud #4094, upon the authority of Ibn Umar, and graded sound by Al-Albani.
2: Ibn Umar said, ” What the Prophet -sallahu alayhi wa salaam- said concerning the izar it also applies to the upper garment.” Collected by Abu Dawud #4095
3: The Prophet -sallahu alayhi wa salaam- said, ” There are 3 whom Allah will not speak to, look at, nor purify and for them is a severe punishment. The one who reminds people of what he gives, the one who drags his izar (below his ankles), and the seller of product by way of false oath.” Collected by Abu Dawud #4087 and An-Nisaa’ee #2564. Upon the authority of Abu Dhar and graded sound by Al-Albani.
4: In the hadith of Jabir ibn Sulaym the Prophet -sallahu alayhi wa salaam- said, “Don’t consider any good as insignificant even if you were to speak to your brother with a cheerful face, for indeed that is good. And raise your izar to half the shin, and if you refuse then (lower it) to the ankles. Be cautioned from dragging the izar (below the ankles) for indeed this is arrogance and Allah does not love arrogance…” Collected by Abu Dawud #4084 and graded sound by Al-Albani.