to be content with Allah’s divine decree and His judgment in His creation, however unattractive it may appear to some people whose faith is weak and whose ignorance is compounded. In fact, this lends support to the view that, if a woman grows a beard, she is not permitted to shave or pluck it, for Allah has made beautiful everything He created. There is no doubt that when she plucks it, she does so only for beauty and adornment, just as one who adds extensions to her hair does; she thus deserves Allah’s curse—may Allah protect us.

As for the lower garment, the hadiths are explicit in prohibiting its being dragged out of pride. As for doing so without pride, the scholars have differed: some have prohibited it as well. This is indicated by the Prophet’s gradual explanation to Amr, peace and blessings be upon him, of the recommended and permissible positions of the lower garment, ending with its being above the ankles and his saying to him, “This is the proper position of the lower garment.” Its apparent meaning is that there is no permissibility beyond that; otherwise, this gradual progression together with the statement just mentioned would serve no purpose, as is clear.

This is further supported by his saying, peace and blessings be upon him: “Whatever hangs below the ankles is in the Fire.” Al-Bukhari narrated it from Ibn Umar. It is strengthened further by his statement in the previously cited hadith of Hudhayfah: “The ankles have no right to be covered by the lower garment.” Abu al-Hasan al-Sindi said in his commentary on it: “Apparently, this is the definitive limit, even where there is no pride. If pride is added to it, the matter becomes more serious; without it, the matter is less serious.” I say: Yes, but it is still forbidden, for the reasons mentioned above.

It is also supported by the fact that, when the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, permitted women to let down the trailing ends of their garments, he then permitted them to add a handspan (1), so that their feet would not be exposed by wind or otherwise. Yet he did not permit them to add more than that, since there is no benefit in doing so. Thus, men are even more deserving of being prohibited from additional length. I derived this point from al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar, may Allah have mercy on him, in al-Fath.