Is Rolling Up Sleeves for Work a Sunna?

Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Weltch

Question

Is rolling up the sleeves for work a Sunna of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace)?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

After some research, it does not seem that rolling up the sleeves to work is specifically an established Prophetic practice. However, a very similar act is established: tightening the waist wrap (izar).

Our Mother, ‘Aisha (Allah be pleased with her), narrates saying,

“When the final ten nights of Ramadan would enter, the Messenger of Allah would tighten his waist wrap (izar), give life to the night (with devotional acts), and wake up his family (to also participate).” [Bukhari and Muslim]

The scholars who commented on this narration explained “tightening the waist wrap” as a metaphor for striving harder than usual. Others gave alternate opinions as well.

Hope this helps
Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he went on to study at Darul Uloom Seminary in New York and completed his studies at Darul Mustafa in Tarim, Yemen.

There, he completed the memorization of the Quran and his study of Islamic Sciences. Throughout his years of study, he was blessed to learn from many great scholars: Habib Umar bin Hafiz, Habib Kazhim al-Saqqaf, Shaykh ‘Umar bin Husayn al-Khatib, and others.

Upon returning, he joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.