What do you think about wearing shorts in sports?

Last Thursday, Free Malaysia Today reported that a PAS leader advised the Minister of Youth and Sports, YB Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman to portray a better example in dressing etiquette while uploading the minister’s photo of exercising with shorts above the knee.

On the first day of Syed Saddiq’s ministry duty, he invited his staffs to jog with him around Putrajaya before or after working hours.

Muhtar Suhaili revealed on his Facebook saying that, “As the Minister of Youth and Sports, he could have portrayed a better example. There is no need for extravagant changes or unnecessary impact. I’m not here to debate about the limitation of “Aurat”, but merely to point out that it cools my eyes as I watched the officers surrounding him who have dressed appropriately, respectful, and conducive in a Malaysian environment.”

“This is merely an advice, not a provocation. Thank you.”

Based on a fatwa from Ask the Scholar’s archive, it’s well-known that a Muslim should cover his awrah (parts of his body which should not be exposed in front of others). By doing so, a Muslim preserves his dignity, morality, honor, etc.

There is nothing wrong with wearing shorts for men if the shorts are long enough to cover from the navel to the knee. However, if they are too short to cover up to the knee, then it is controversial among scholars. Therefore, it is not desirable for a Muslim to expose what is above his knee in public. Still, it is not necessarily haram (prohibited) if a little bit above the knee is exposed.