Wearing a short-sleeved Kurta

Question:-

Is it permissible for one to wear a short-sleeved Kurta when one is travelling or engaged in outdoor activities?

Answer:-

We, as Muslims, should adopt the dressing of our beloved master, Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam, as this is the dressing which is most beloved to Allah Ta’ala.

Although it will be fundamentally permissible for one to wear a short-sleeved Kurta when travelling, or whilst engaged in outdoor activities etc. it will be best to always wear a long-sleeved Kurta. However, it is Makrooh to perform Salaah in a short-sleeved Kurta, as one is required to present himself before Allah Ta’ala in an honourable manner just as one presents himself before a high-ranking person. Hence, Salaah should be performed with a long-sleeved Kurta only.

اعْلَمْ أَنَّ الْكِسْوَةَ مِنْهَا فَرْضٌ وَهُوَ مَا يَسْتُرُ الْعَوْرَةَ وَيَدْفَعُ الْحَرَّ وَالْبَرْدَ وَالْأَوْلَى كَوْنُهُ مِنْ الْقُطْنِ أَوْ الْكَتَّانِ أَوْ الصُّوفِ عَلَى وِفَاقِ السُّنَّةِ بِأَنْ يَكُونَ ذَيْلُهُ لِنِصْفِ سَاقِهِ وَكُمُّهُ لِرُءُوسِ أَصَابِعِهِ وَفَمُهُ قَدْرَ شِبْرٍ كَمَا فِي النُّتَفُ بَيْنَ النَّفِيسِ وَالْخَسِيسِ إذْ خَيْرُ الْأُمُورِ أَوْسَاطُهَا (الدر المختار ص351 ج6)

وَرَوَى الْبَيْهَقِيُّ عَنْهُ – صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ – «إذَا صَلَّى أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيَلْبَسْ ثَوْبَيْهِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ أَحَقُّ أَنْ يُتَزَيَّنَ لَهُ» وَالظَّاهِرُ أَنَّهَا تَنْزِيهِيَّةٌ وَفَسَّرَ ثِيَابَ الْبِذْلَةِ فِي شَرْحِ الْوِقَايَةِ بِمَا يَلْبَسُهُ فِي بَيْتِهِ وَلَا يَذْهَبُ بِهِ إلَى الْأَكَابِرِ (البحر الرائق ص35 ج2)

ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:

Mufti Mohammed Desai

Date: 15 Jumadal Ula 1444 / 10 December 2022