Asalamo aleikum wa rahmatallahi wa barakatuh, my question is that is it ok for a child who has not reached puberty to have his pants over his ankles or is this equally as haram as a grown man having pants over ankles. Jazakallah kheir.
Answer
Wa’alaykum as Salām wa rahmatullāhi wa barakātuhu,
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“What is below the ankles of a lower garment is condemned to the Fire (Hell).”
Based on the above narration, it is prohibited for males to wear such garments which drop below the ankles; hence, it is a major sin if one does so.
In respect to children committing acts of sin the following should be noted:
A child is not liable to the consequences of sin.
However, the parents of the child will be held accountable by Allāh for the sins of the child, if they did not give him a good upbringing, since they have failed in their responsibility which Allāh Has placed upon them in teaching him right from wrong.
In the case where they (the parents) have not failed in their responsibility to that effect, then they will not be accountable by Allāh, since they have fulfilled their responsibility.
Furthermore, it is of utmost importance that a child is made to understand the gravity of committing such a sin. This is because the moment he reaches the age of puberty, he will be accountable for any sin which he perpetrates.
May Allāh guide all parents to inculcate acts of goodness in their children and make them a means of providing their children with a good and sound religious foundation.
And Allaah Ta’aala knows best
Wassalaam,
Ismail Moosa (Mufti)