Performing Salaah With The Sleeves Rolled Up

· 14 Ramadan 1444 AH1 min readEnglish

Question

When I wear a kurta I often fold my sleeves to 1/3rd of my arm. Is that okay in normal life or I have to unfold it while praying salah?

Answer

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.

If, for some reason or the other, one forgets to unfold his sleeves before the Salaah and has already commenced with the Salaah, then he should gradually and discretely unfold his sleeves within the Salaah. This may be achieved by unfolding a portion in one posture and thereafter unfolding another portion in another posture, until the sleeves are completely unfolded. In the event that one’s sleeves are too long and the purpose of folding them is simply to adjust them to a reasonable length, then concession has been mentioned by certain jurists to fold the sleeves up to the wrists at most.

References (Arabic / Urdu sources)

رد المحتار – ج ١ ص ٦٤٠

الفتاوي الهندية-ج ١ ص١٠٦

فتاوی قاضی خان – ج ۱ ص ٦٦

البحر الرائق – ج ٢ ص ٢٤

فتح القدير – ج ١ ص ٣٥٩

Approved by
Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B.
Questions about this ruling, answered only from the archive with sources.

Where scholars differ, it’s safer to take the more cautious view.

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