Wiping over Socks

The permissibility and validity of this is based on Jarir ibn Abdullah’s tradition:

 “I saw Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) pass urine then perform wudu’ and wipe over his Khuff (socks).” (Agreed upon)

To perform ablution then put on your socks and wipe over them for other ablutions would be better than putting them on without ablution and taking them off thereafter for the next ablution. Al-Mughirah ibn Shu’bah said:

 “I was with Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) on a journey. I intended to take his leather socks off but he said: ‘Leave them for I put them on after performing wudu’,’ and he wiped over them.” (Agreed upon)

The Area to be Wiped

The upper surface of the boots should be wiped, as the Prophet (Peace be upon him) did this. Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, said:

“Had religion been based on personal opinion, then wiping over the bottom surface of the socks would have been more appropriate. I saw Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) wipe over the top of his leather socks.” (Reported by Abu Daud and Tabrani)

Pre-requisites for Wiping over Socks

1. The leather socks and the like should be put on after performing wudu’. This is based on the aforesaid Al-Mughirah’s tradition.

2. Boots or socks must be clean from filth. If they are impure or filthy they cannot be used (for wiping or prayer).

“Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) one day led his Companions in prayer wearing the shoes. During prayer, he took off his shoes because Jibril (Gabriel) had told him that his shoes were not clean.”

3. Wiping over leather socks and the like applies only in case of wudu’, not in case of ritual bath (ghusl). Safwan ibn Assal said:

“Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) told us to keep wearing our boots while on travel for three days and nights except in case of major ritual impurity (Janabah). Only in case of urinating, defecating and sleeping (we can wipe over them).” (Reported by Ahmad, Tirmidhi and Nasai)

4. Wiping over boots must be within the prescribed time limit, which is one day and night for residents and three days and nights for travellers. Ali ibn Abi Talib asked about the time limit for wiping (over boots) and the Prophet’s answer was:

“For a person travelling: Three days and three nights; for a resident: one day and one night.” (Reported by Muslim & others)

5. Boots must cover the area of the feet as required to be washed.

Description of Wiping over Boots

Having put on clean boots or socks after performing ablution, a Muslim can wipe them with water, instead of taking them off and washing his feet. He should pass his wet right hand over his right foot from the toes to the leg, then his wet left hand over the left foot likewise. Al-Mughirah ibn Shu’bah, may Allah be pleased with him, described the Prophet’s wudu’ saying:

“Then he performed wudu’ and wiped over the boots placing his right hand on his right boot and his left hand on his left boot, then wiped their top surface once as if I am looking at the traces of his fingers on the boots now.”

Time Limit

- Three days and nights for a traveller, and one day and night for a resident based on Ali’s tradition mentioned earlier.
-The period starts as from the first wiping after minor ritual impurity (hadath) (based on the strongest verdict of scholars) and ends after the elapse of 24 hours for the resident and 72 hours for the traveller.

Things that Terminate the Validity of Wiping

- Major ritual impurity (janabah), based on the fore mentioned tradition narrated by Safwan.
- Expiry of the prescribed wiping duration (That is, one day and night for residents, and three days and nights for travellers), as stated in the tradition narrated by Ali ibn Abi Talib ( may Allah be pleased with him).
- Taking off both or either of the boots.