his garment should become soiled with dust; and this involves a degree of pride. Moreover, the garment should be left hanging loose and not gathered up, because a person may perhaps be rewarded for every part of it that comes into contact with the ground. For this reason, gathering up one’s garment is disliked.
Question: If it is asked: Does gathering up one’s garment include what some people do when they gather up the ghutrah by bringing one end of it over the shoulder and around the neck?
The answer is: This is not regarded as gathering up one’s garment, because it is a manner of dress; that is, the ghutrah is worn in this fashion: it may be gathered atop the head, for example, and placed behind it. This is why it is permissible for a person to pray wearing a turban, even though the turban is wrapped around the head rather than left hanging loose. Thus, if it is customary for people to wear the ghutrah and the shemagh in various ways, there is nothing wrong with it. For this reason, Shaykh al-Islam, may Allah have mercy on him, said that placing a qaba' over one’s shoulders without putting one’s arms through its sleeves is not considered sadl (letting a garment hang loosely over the shoulders) (1), because it is sometimes worn in this manner.
But if the ghutrah is hanging loose, then he gathers it up when prostrating, it appears that this falls under the prohibition of gathering up one’s garment.
And tying something around one’s waist like a zunnar …
His statement, “and tying something around one’s waist like a zunnar,” means that it is likewise disliked for a person to tie something around his waist—not unrestrictedly, however, but only in a manner resembling the zunnar.
Tying something around the waist means fastening a rope, a strap, or the like around one’s stomach. This is done frequently, but it is disliked if it is done in a manner resembling the zunnar. The zunnar is a well-known belt which Christians tie around their waists. What resembles tying the zunnar is disliked because it constitutes imitation of non-Muslims. The Prophet ﷺ said