“There is no one who goes out of his house in order to seek knowledge, but the angels lower their wings in approval of his action.’” (Sunan Ibn Majah 226)

By Abdullahi Yusuf

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. All perfect praise is due to Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, the Lord of the Worlds. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah, and Muhammad (pbuh), is His slave and final Messenger.

Assalamu alaykum dear brothers and sisters, among the blessings of Islam is that Allah has made matters of worship both complete and easy. In the Qur’an and Sunnah, we learn the rulings of purification, salat, fasting and all other acts of devotion. Today’s lesson in the Golden Words of Allah, is about a practical issue many Muslims encounter: is it permissible to wipe over socks during wudu instead of washing the feet?

Hadith reference: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) permitted wiping over khuffayn (leather socks) when certain conditions were met. Al-Mughirah ibn Shu’bah (AS) said:“I bent down to remove the Prophet’s khuffayn so he could wash his feet, but he said: ‘Leave them, for I put them on when my feet were clean,’ and he wiped over them.” (Narrated by al-Bukhari 206, Muslim 274)

Dear brothers and sisters we should know that this is not an innovation, rather it is a prophetic concession.

Safwan ibn ‘Assal (may Allah be pleased with him) also reported: “The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) commanded us when travelling not to remove our khuffayn for three days and three nights, except in the case of janabah (major impurity). But for stools, urine, and sleep, we could wipe over them.” (Narrated by Ahmad)

The scholars explained that the ruling extends beyond leather khuffs to socks, provided they meet certain conditions:

1. Purity at the time of wearing, they must be put on after wudu, as in the hadith of al-Mughirah.

2. They cover the ankles, if they do not reach above the ankles, wiping is not valid according to the majority of scholars.

3. They must be thick enough, Ibn Qattan said: “All are agreed that if the socks are not thick, it is not permissible to wipe over them” (al-Iqna‘ fi Masa’il al-Ijma‘ 1/90). Thin, see-through socks do not suffice.

4. Used for minor impurity only, as such wiping is valid after sleep, urination, or passing wind, but not after janabah, where full ghusl is required.

5. Time-limited, one day and one night for a resident, three days and nights for a traveller (Muslim, hadith of ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib).

In this age time, medical or exfoliating socks exist. If they are thick, cover the ankles, and can be walked in, wiping over them is valid if worn in a state of purity. If they are thin, water-permeable, or not durable, wiping is not valid. However, one may wear thicker socks on top and wipe over the outer pair.

If a person wiped over socks without knowing the conditions, for example: putting them on without wudu, their past prayers are not required to be repeated.

Hadith reference to it: Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (R.A) explained that Allah pardons mistakes and forgetfulness, citing the verse: “And never would We punish until We sent a messenger” (Qur’an 17:15)

Still, out of caution, if one can make up such prayers, it is better. May Allah grant us understanding of His Deen and acceptance of our worship. Ameen.

And Allah knows best