The Rulings of Wiping Over Socks in Islam 

Question:

I perform wudu’ (ablution) before wearing my socks every morning, is it ok to pray Zhuhr (Noon) prayer while putting them on? I do not remove my socks during `Asr (Afternoon) prayer while performing ablution, I just wipe over them; is that permissible?

Answer:

Wiping over socks is recommended which has come to us from the sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him). It is better for one who wears socks to wipe over them, rather than take them off to wash his/her feet.

`Urwa ibn Al-Mughirah narrated: my father said, “Once I was in the company of the Prophet (peace be upon him) on a journey and I dashed to take off his Khuffs (socks made from thick fabric or leather). He ordered me to leave them as he had put them after performing ablution. So he passed wet hands over them.” (Al-Bukhari)

There are some validity conditions for wiping over socks:

1- The leather or fabric socks should be put on while being in state of taharah (purity). The prophet (peace be upon him) said to Al-Mughirah, “Leave them as I put them on after performing ablution.” (Al-Bukhari)

2- The socks should be pure and clean. Once the Prophet (peace be upon him) led his Companions in prayer while wearing two sandals. He then took them off during his prayer as Jibreel had informed him there was something harmful or filthy on them both.” (Authenticated by Al-Albani)

3- One should wipe over socks when in a state of minor impurity, not in a state of major impurity which necessitates performing ghusl (ritual bath).

4- One should abide by the period which has been specified by the Shari`ah. This period is one day and night for a resident, and three days and nights for a traveler. ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib narrated that “the Prophet (peace be upon him) fixed the period of mash (wiping) over the leather socks (Khifaf – plural of Khuff) for three days and nights for a traveler and one day and a night for the resident person in a town.” (Muslim)

Responding to this question, Dr. Muhammad Salah states that it is permissible to wiper over socks whether being from leather or fabric after wearing them on purity.

Enjoy watching this interesting talk with Dr. Muhammad Salah to know more about the rulings and etiquette of wiping over socks.

_________________________

Source: Iqra Youtube Channel.