Question:
After prayer, an imam reportedly stood up and said: “I see a mistake among some people. When they pray wearing long sleeves, they roll them up. This is not the Sunnah.”
Is this correct?
Answer:
This claim is incorrect.
There is no ruling in Islam forbidding someone from rolling up sleeves. Clothing styles vary.
People may: wear long sleeves; roll them up; wear half sleeves
None of this affects the validity of prayer.
Evidence from the Prophetﷺ’s Practice
In Sahih Bukhari (Hadith 355) it is reported that the Prophetﷺ ﷺ prayed wearing a garment draped across his shoulders. This garment did not cover the arms fully. His arms were visible.
In another narration, when the Prophetﷺ prostrated, his armpits could be seen from behind. This clearly shows his arms were not fully covered.
Minimum Requirement for Men’s Clothing in Prayer
The only requirement mentioned is that a man should cover his shoulders with his garment if possible.
In Bukhari Hadith 359, the Prophetﷺ said: “None of you should pray in a single garment without placing part of it over his shoulders.“
This means the garment should cover the shoulders. But covering the arms is not required.
So, wearing:
- sleeveless shirts
- short sleeves
- rolled sleeves
all are permissible. The imam who criticized people misunderstood the ruling.
Therefore, praying with uncovered arms is permissible.
