Most-asked question

Is salaah valid in tight clothes, shorts or with sleeves rolled up?

88 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 4 South African Darul Iftas (Mufti Online, Ask Imaam, Azaadville, Ibn Masood). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.

Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.

Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.

What the Darul Iftas say

The Ulama differ. At least one of the fatawa quoted below says there is a difference of opinion on this question. Read the answers in full, and see how each Darul Ifta answers.

“1. Performing Salaah with one’s sleeves folded up (without a valid reason) is Makroohe-e-Tahreemi. However, if the sleeves were folded before Salaah for some work, and then one starts Salaah, there is a difference of opinion as to whether the Salaah is Makrooh or not.”

Ibn Masood — Performing Salaah with folded sleeves and trousers · 12 Mar 2023

“A woman should ensure that her ankles are covered during salaah. However, if her ankles got exposed during salaah, the salaah will be valid. The ankles are part of the shin, and since the ankles do not form quarter of the shin, this amount being exposed will not cause the salaah to break.”

Mufti Online — Woman's ankles becoming exposed in salaah · 5 Feb 2019

“The jurists have classified it as Makrooh (disliked) to have the sleeves folded whilst one is performing Salaah. Yes, if one is not performing Salaah then it will be fine to have one’s sleeves folded for whatever reason. However, such an individual should ensure that the sleeves are unfolded before commencing with the Salaah.”

Azaadville — Performing Salaah With The Sleeves Rolled Up · 5 Apr 2023

“Brother/Sister in Islam 1) It is permissible to fold your pants before salat, not during salat because this will be classed as aml katheer which is forbidden during salat. It will also render your salaat invalid.”

Ask Imaam — Are we allowed to fould our pants in Namaz if it goes beyond the ankle. Will Namaz be accepted · 6 Oct 2006

Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.

Read the fatawa

  1. Females performing Salaah with short sleevesIbn Masood · 29 Feb 2024
  2. Performing salaah behind imaams who shave their beards or wear their pants below the anklesMufti Online · 26 Aug 2023
  3. Performing Salaah With The Sleeves Rolled UpAzaadville · 5 Apr 2023
  4. Performing Salah whilst hanging the sleeves of one's JacketAsk Imaam · 2 Jan 2021
  5. Salaah without pantsIbn Masood · 21 Feb 2024
  6. Salaah behind an imaam whose pants are below his anklesMufti Online · 11 Feb 2021
  7. Performing Salaah In Clothing Without SleevesAzaadville · 30 Jan 2022
  8. I see white spots in my trousers after performing Jumu'ah SalahAsk Imaam · 17 Apr 2020
  9. Folding trousers in Salaah and charging for lecturesIbn Masood · 21 Oct 2023
  10. Performing salaah with a t-shirt that has depictions of creatures on itMufti Online · 30 Aug 2020
  11. Performing Salaah Wearing Short SleevesAzaadville · 24 Oct 2021
  12. Does laughing aloud in Salaah invalidate the Salaah? Does lowering the garments below the ankles invalidate the Wudhu?Ask Imaam · 14 Feb 2014
  13. Woman's ankles becoming exposed in salaahMufti Online · 5 Feb 2019
  14. Performing Salaah with folded sleeves and trousersIbn Masood · 12 Mar 2023
  15. Are we allowed to fould our pants in Namaz if it goes beyond the ankle. Will Namaz be acceptedAsk Imaam · 6 Oct 2006

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