✦ Ruling on Praying with Shoes in Carpeted Mosques ✦
❖ Question:
Can one offer or lead prayer while wearing new shoes in a carpeted mosque, in accordance with the Sunnah?
❖ Answer by:
Fadhilat al-Shaykh Saeed Mujtaba Saeedi ḥafiẓahullāh
Fadhilat al-‘Ālim Ikramullah Wahidi ḥafiẓahullāh
① It is authentically established from the Prophet ﷺ that he prayed while wearing shoes, provided they are clean.
② Both new and used shoes may be worn during prayer as long as they are ritually pure.
① In mosques with carpeted flooring, wearing shoes during prayer may lead to issues of cleanliness and disruption of order.
② If there is a possibility of conflict or unrest, then this Sunnah should not be applied in a way that leads to discord.
③ However, if someone wishes to act upon this Sunnah, it should be done after informing and reassuring the congregation to avoid any confusion.
① According to Shaykh Saeed Mujtaba Saeedi ḥafiẓahullāh, although it is permissible to pray with shoes in a carpeted mosque, care must be taken to avoid causing fitnah (disruption).
② Shaykh Ikramullah Wahidi ḥafiẓahullāh states that praying with shoes in such mosques would unnecessarily create fitnah, even though there is no fundamental prohibition.
✔ In principle, praying while wearing clean shoes is permissible and in line with the Sunnah.
✔ In carpeted mosques, however, this practice may cause confusion or unrest, so caution is advisable.
✔ Anyone who wishes to practice this Sunnah should first inform and reassure other worshipers to prevent any disruption or misunderstanding.
❖ Question:
Can one offer or lead prayer while wearing new shoes in a carpeted mosque, in accordance with the Sunnah?
❖ Answer by:
Fadhilat al-Shaykh Saeed Mujtaba Saeedi ḥafiẓahullāh
Fadhilat al-‘Ālim Ikramullah Wahidi ḥafiẓahullāh
✦ The Original Sunnah of Praying with Shoes
① It is authentically established from the Prophet ﷺ that he prayed while wearing shoes, provided they are clean.
② Both new and used shoes may be worn during prayer as long as they are ritually pure.
✦ Praying with Shoes in Carpeted Mosques
① In mosques with carpeted flooring, wearing shoes during prayer may lead to issues of cleanliness and disruption of order.
② If there is a possibility of conflict or unrest, then this Sunnah should not be applied in a way that leads to discord.
③ However, if someone wishes to act upon this Sunnah, it should be done after informing and reassuring the congregation to avoid any confusion.
✦ Need and Wisdom Behind the Ruling
① According to Shaykh Saeed Mujtaba Saeedi ḥafiẓahullāh, although it is permissible to pray with shoes in a carpeted mosque, care must be taken to avoid causing fitnah (disruption).
② Shaykh Ikramullah Wahidi ḥafiẓahullāh states that praying with shoes in such mosques would unnecessarily create fitnah, even though there is no fundamental prohibition.
✦ Conclusion
✔ In principle, praying while wearing clean shoes is permissible and in line with the Sunnah.
✔ In carpeted mosques, however, this practice may cause confusion or unrest, so caution is advisable.
✔ Anyone who wishes to practice this Sunnah should first inform and reassure other worshipers to prevent any disruption or misunderstanding.
