| Answer: Folding up the legware is related to a particular
form of dress called the Tehmad (loin cloth). In the times of the Prophet (sws),
some people would wear it in a manner that a portion of it would drag behind
them. Since this is an expression of arrogance and haughtiness, the Prophet (sws)
forbade wearing it in this manner. This directive to fold up legware is
therefore not related to forms of dress which are not worn in this manner or
this purpose, for example pants, trousers or shalwars.
Also, even in case a person is wearing a Tehmad and his
intentions are not to express such arrogance, exceptions can be given -- as is
narrated in the following Hadith:
The Prophet is reported to have said: A person who makes
his cloth to dangle after him will not be looked at by the Almighty on the Day
of Judgement. At this Abu Bakr said: A portion of my cloth drags on the ground
unless I am very careful about it. At this the Prophet replied: You do not do it
out of arrogance [so your matter is different]. (Bukhārī, Kitābu’l-Libās)
It is imperative that a the basis as well as the nature of
a directive mentioned in a Hadith be analyzed before following it. Arrogance
and haughtiness are condemned by the Qur’ān. So all their manifestations and
symbols have been prohibited by the Prophet (sws). |