A mash transmitted this tradition saying: If religion were based on opinion, it would be more proper to wipe the under part of the feet than the upper. The Prophet ﷺ wiped over the upper part of his shoes. The narrator Waki said: I saw Ali perform ablution and wash the upper part of his feet, and say: Had I not seen the Messenger of Allah ﷺ doing like this –and he narrated the tradition in full.
Hadith Takhrij« انظر ما قبله، (تحفة الأشراف: 10204) (صحیح) »
Brief Explanation
1؎: In the narration of Abu al-Sawda, the words «فغسل ظاهر قدميه» have appeared; apparently here "ghusl" (ritual bath) is in the meaning of "masah" (wiping), and Allah knows best.