Trailing The Hem of a Garment For a Woman

By Sheikh Muhammad Nasirud-Deen Al-Albani

"On the authority of Umm Salamah: that when the Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings be upon him) said what he said about trailing the hem of a garment for the woman. Umm Salamah mentions: then I asked: O Messenger of Allah! How should we trail the hem of a garment? He said: Trail it by a hand span. Umm Salamah said: But the feet become uncovered! Then he said: Then trail it a forearms length."

I (Al-Albani) say: In this Hadith there is a proof showing that the feet of a woman are 'Awrah (i.e. those parts of the body that must be covered) and this was a matter that was well known amongst the women at the time of the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him).

Since, when the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'Trail it by a hand span,' Umm Salamah said: "Then the feet become uncovered" and from this, one feels that she knew that the feet are from the 'Awrah. It is not permissible to uncover them and the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) reaffirmed that for her and that is why he commanded her to trail her garment a forearm's length.

In the Noble Quran there is a reference to this fact and that is the saying of Allah:

And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment [Noble Quran 24:31]

Sheikh Al-Albani was asked a question regarding trailing the hem of the Hijab for the woman: "Is it a condition that it should trail by a hand span or a forearm's length?"

The sheikh answered by saying: "This condition is if the clothing of a woman was like the clothing of the women in the past, i.e. because the women before used to only wear a Qamis (long dress) i.e. like a Thawb. This means they did not wear a Sirwal (like pajamas) nor socks, nor anything that would cover her shins nor her feet, except this long Qamis, which used to be dragged along the floor, which is generally known as the Abaya. Nowadays if a woman wears socks or perhaps a long Sirwal, even though this is not common, then it is sufficient for the Jilbab to cover the top of her feet. It is not necessary for the hem of the garment to be dragging along the floor except in the situation when she cannot find, from her clothing, the likes of a Sirwal or socks etc - because, verily the Messenger (Peace and blessings be upon him) ordered her to lengthen her garment fearing that anything of the 'Awrah of her feet or shins be uncovered. So, if they are covered with clothing or socks and over the top of them is the long Jilbab then it is not necessary, in this situation, for the hem of the garment to be dragging along the floor.

Questioner: May Allah reward you
The Sheikh: May Allah preserve you.

Questioner: So it is understood from your speech, that there is no problem if the shoes become uncovered or some of the socks are shown?

The Sheikh: No, I said to you that the Jilbab should cover the top of the feet. Then you also mentioned shoes, the condition for the shoes is that they shouldn't be decorated, because nowadays most women's shoes are decorated.

Questioner: May Allah reward you
The Sheikh: May Allah preserve you.

Taken from 'Silsilat Al-Huda Wan-Nur' .

All Praise belongs to Allah, may His peace and blessings be upon our final Prophet Muhammad, his family, his companions and all those who follow his guidance.

Khadejah Jones
Share Islam Team
ShareIslam.com