Can I Pray with Rolled-Up Sleeves or Pants?

Question

I heard a Hadith of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) that we must pray with unfolded clothing. So what is the ruling on praying with a part of your clothes folded – for instance, the sleeves of your shirt or the pant legs?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Amin.

Praying with rolled-up sleeves or pant legs is disliked, and Allah knows best. This does not mean short-sleeved shirts, which, while not ideal, are permissible.

Hadith on Rolled-up Clothes in Prayer

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “We have been ordered to prostrate on seven bones and not to tuck up the clothes or hair.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

Imam al-Munawi (Allah have mercy on him) said: “Do not fold the clothes or assemble them while bowing (ruku‘) in the prayer.” [Munawi, Fayd al-Qadir]

Imam Nawawi (Allah have mercy on him) mentioned that folding the sleeves is part of this. He also mentioned a consensus among Muslim scholars that this is just disliked (makruh), not prohibited (haram). [Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim and Majmu‘]

Ruling on Rolled-up Clothes in Prayer

If the person folds his sleeves during the prayer, there is a consensus among the scholars that this is disliked (makruh). But if the clothes are folded before one starts praying, there is a disagreement among scholars over this issue. Some believe that this also is disliked while others do not think so. Most Muslim scholars believe such action is disliked, and Allah knows best.

It is more precautious and appropriate for the person who will start praying not to fold his sleeves.

I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan.

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.

He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.

Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.