Source: Fatawa Arkan al-Islam
Question:
In order to be extra cautious about purification, is it recommended to remove socks for every wudu?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh. Ammā baʿd!
Removing socks or leather khuffs for every wudu is against the Sunnah.
Such a practice resembles the way of certain misguided sects (e.g., the Rawafid) who do not consider wiping over khuffs permissible.
Clear Guidance from the Prophet ﷺ
When al-Mughirah ibn Shu‘bah رضي الله عنه intended to remove the Prophet’s ﷺ khuffs during wudu, the Prophet ﷺ stopped him and said:
«دَعْهُمَا فَاِنِّیْ اَدْخَلْتُهُمَا طَاهِرَتَيْنِ»
(Bukhari, Kitab al-Wudu, Hadith 206; Muslim, Kitab al-Taharah, Hadith 274, 79)
“Leave them, for I wore them in a state of purity.”
Then the Prophet ﷺ wiped over them.
Ruling:
- If socks or khuffs are worn in a state of complete taharah (after wudu or ghusl), it is Sunnah to wipe over them without removing them until the duration of wiping expires.
- Removing them for every wudu is contrary to the Sunnah and unnecessary.
ھذا ما عندي واللہ أعلم بالصواب
