◈ Wiping Over Leather Socks (Khuffain) ◈
✔ The Prophet ﷺ Wiping Over His Socks
Sayyiduna Mughīrah bin Shu'bah رضي الله عنه narrates:
“I was with the Prophet ﷺ on a journey. When he began performing ablution, I moved to take off his leather socks. He ﷺ said:
‘Leave them, for I put them on in a state of purity.’
Then he wiped over them.”
(Bukhari, al-Wudu’, Bab: Idhā Adkhala Rijlayhi wa Humā Ṭāhiratān, 602; Muslim: al-Tahārah, Bab: al-Masḥ ‘alā al-Khuffayn, 472)
✔ Wiping Over Socks Without Wudu
If someone wears socks or stockings without being in a state of wudu and later performs wiping over them out of forgetfulness and offers prayers, then regarding this, Shaykh Ibn Bāz رحمه الله states:
“His prayer is invalid. He must repeat the prayers performed with that wiping,
because according to the consensus of scholars, it is a condition for valid masḥ (wiping) that the socks be worn in a state of wudu.”
(Fatāwā Islāmiyyah, vol. 1, p. 113)
✔ Duration of Wiping
Shurayḥ bin Hāni’ رحمه الله reports:
“I asked Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه regarding the duration for wiping over socks. He said:
‘The Messenger of Allah ﷺ prescribed three days and nights for the traveler and one day and night for the resident.’”
(Muslim, al-Tahārah, Bab: al-Tawqīt fī al-Masḥ ‘alā al-Khuffayn, 672)
✔ Commencement of the Duration
Shaykh Muḥammad al-Ṣāliḥ al-‘Uthaymīn رحمه الله says:
“The period of wiping begins from the time one performs the first masḥ after breaking wudu. This is the most correct view.”
Example:
- If someone wears socks at Fajr in a state of wudu,
- Breaks wudu before Ẓuhr and performs masḥ at Ẓuhr,
- Then the wiping period starts from Ẓuhr.
For a resident: Masḥ is allowed until the next day Ẓuhr. For a traveler: Masḥ is allowed until the fourth day Ẓuhr.(Fatāwā Islāmiyyah, vol. 1, p. 613)
✔ Ruling on Wiping While in the State of Janābah
Sayyiduna Ṣafwān bin ‘Assāl رضي الله عنه reports:
“When we were on a journey, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ commanded us not to remove our leather socks for three days and nights due to urination, defecation, or sleep,
but in the case of janābah (major impurity), he instructed us to remove them.”
(Tirmidhi, al-Ṭahārah, Bab: al-Masḥ ‘alā al-Khuffayn li al-Musāfir wa al-Muqīm, 69; Nasā’ī: 721)
This ḥadīth has been authenticated by Imām Tirmidhī, Ibn Khuzaymah, Ibn Ḥibbān, and Nawawī.
Clarification:
From this hadith, it is evident that the state of janābah ends the wiping period, hence socks must be removed for ghusl. However, after urination, defecation, or sleep, the socks can remain on and wiping may continue within the prescribed time.
◈ Wiping Over Fabric Socks (Jawrabain) ◈
✔ Command of the Prophet ﷺ
Sayyiduna Thawbān رضي الله عنه narrates:
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ commanded the Companions to wipe over their turbans and fabric socks during ablution.”
(Abū Dāwūd, al-Ṭahārah, Bab: al-Masḥ ‘alā al-‘Imāmah, 641)
This narration is declared authentic by Imām Ḥākim and Ḥāfiẓ Dhahabī.
✔ Practice of the Companions رضي الله عنهم
Sayyiduna ‘Uqbah bin ‘Amr and Sayyiduna Abū Mas‘ūd al-Anṣārī رضي الله عنهما wiped over their fabric socks even with sandals on.
(Bayhaqī 1/52)
‘Amr bin Ḥarīth رحمه الله reports:
“Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه urinated and then performed ablution, wiping over his socks while they were inside the sandals.”
(Ibn Abī Shaybah, Ibn al-Mundhir)
Imām Ibn Ḥazm رحمه الله states:
“Wiping over socks is authentically reported from 21 Companions of the Prophet ﷺ, including:
◈ Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ūd رضي الله عنه
◈ Sayyiduna Sa‘d bin Abī Waqqās رضي الله عنه
◈ Sayyiduna ‘Amr bin Ḥarīth رضي الله عنه”
(Ibn Abī Shaybah 1/371)
Sayyiduna Sahl bin Sa‘d and Sayyiduna Abū Umāmah رضي الله عنهما also used to wipe over socks.
(Ibn Abī Shaybah 1/371)
Sayyiduna Anas bin Mālik رضي الله عنه performed ablution, wiped over his cap and black socks, and prayed.
(al-Sunan al-Kubrā by Bayhaqī 1/582)
Imām Ibn Qudāmah رحمه الله affirms:
“There is ijmā‘ (consensus) among the Companions on the permissibility of wiping over fabric socks.”
(al-Mughnī by Ibn Qudāmah 1/233, Issue 624)
✔ Definition of “Jawrab” in Arabic Lexicons
◈ Qāmūs (1/64): “Jawrab” refers to anything worn on the foot.
◈ Tāj al-‘Arūs: Anything that wraps around the foot is called “Jawrab.”
◈ ʿAllāmah ʿAynī: “Jawrab is made from twisted wool and worn up to the ankle.”
◈ ʿĀridah al-Aḥwadhī: Imām Abū Bakr Ibn al-ʿArabī رحمه الله writes: “Jawrab is woolen and covers the foot.”
◈ ʿUmdat al-Riʿāyah: Socks are also made of cotton or hair.
◈ Ghāyat al-Maqṣūd: Socks can be made of leather, wool, or cotton.
Conclusion:
“Jawrab” refers to any footwear that wraps or covers the foot — whether made of leather, wool, or cotton.
Wiping over all such types is permissible.
◈ Wiping Over the Turban ◈
✔ Practice of the Prophet ﷺ
Sayyiduna Mughīrah bin Shuʿbah رضي الله عنه narrates:
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ wiped over his turban and leather socks.”
(Bukhārī, al-Wudu’, Bab: al-Masḥ ‘alā al-Khuffayn, 502)
Sayyiduna Bilāl رضي الله عنه reports:
“The Prophet ﷺ wiped over his socks and turban.”
(Muslim, al-Tahārah, Bab: al-Masḥ ‘alā al-Nāṣiyah wa al-‘Imāmah, 572)
