A Letter to Mohammad Ahmad Khan
Son of the respected Qur’anic teacher, Mrs Sehrish Tashfin
By: Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi
Oxford
5/1/2026
Dear Mohammad,
It gives me great pleasure to know that you are working hard in your studies, striving to practise your religion sincerely, and showing obedience and respect to your parents. These are beautiful qualities, and they are signs of a good character. May Allah grant you success in this world and in the Hereafter, and make you a source of comfort and pride for your family.
I would like to share with you an important lesson about Islam which many people, even some religious ones, sometimes forget. This lesson is about the difference between values and forms.
Islam gives great importance to values. One of these values is humility. Every Muslim should try to be humble and should avoid arrogance, pride, and looking down on others. Arrogance is disliked by Allah, while humility is loved by Him.
Forms, on the other hand, are outward actions or appearances. These forms are important, but they are meant to protect the values, not replace them. For example, certain types of clothing can sometimes make a person feel proud or superior. If a form leads to arrogance, then it should be avoided. But if it does not lead to arrogance, then it may be allowed.
In Arab culture at the time of the Prophet ﷺ, dragging one’s clothes below the ankles was a clear sign of pride and showing off. That is why the Prophet ﷺ warned strongly against it. However, the Prophet ﷺ himself made it clear that the real reason for the prohibition was arrogance, not the cloth itself.
This is beautifully shown in the well-known hadith of Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him). When Abu Bakr said that one side of his garment sometimes fell below his ankles, the Prophet ﷺ replied that he was not doing it out of arrogance, and therefore he was not included in the warning. This shows us that intention and attitude matter greatly in Islam.
Because of this, the majority of great scholars of Islam, including Imam al-Shafi‘i, Imam Ahmad, Imam Abu Hanifah, Imam Ishaq, and Imam al-Bukhari, agreed that wearing clothes below the ankles is not sinful if it is not done with pride or arrogance. Some scholars considered it slightly disliked, while others saw no problem at all, as long as arrogance is not involved.
It is also important to understand that cultures and climates are different. In countries like England, the weather is often very cold, especially in winter. People naturally need to cover their ankles to keep warm. In such circumstances, wearing trousers that reach or cover the ankles is completely reasonable and allowed, as long as the intention is not arrogance and the trousers are not dragged on the ground.
So, my dear Mohammad, you should remember this balanced and beautiful teaching of Islam. You are allowed to wear trousers that reach your ankles, especially in a cold country, as long as:
• You do not feel proud or superior because of your clothing
• You do not look down on others
• You do not drag your clothes on the ground
What truly matters is your heart, your character, your humility, and your obedience to Allah. I pray that Allah grants you wisdom, good understanding of His religion, and a gentle and humble character. May He keep you firm on the straight path and make you a benefit to others.
With my sincere prayers and best wishes,
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