Fatwa by: Former Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Ibn Baz (رحمه الله)
Question:
What is the ruling on women wearing socks and gloves in Ihram? Also, can a woman remove the Ihram clothing?
Answer:
It is preferable and more modest for women to wear socks and other coverings while in Ihram. However, if a woman enters Ihram in regular clothing, this is also sufficient. If she enters Ihram wearing socks and then removes them, there is no harm in that, just as there is no harm if a man enters Ihram wearing sandals and later removes them. However, a woman cannot enter Ihram wearing gloves, as this is prohibited for women, just as it is forbidden for them to cover their faces with a niqab, because the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prohibited this. However, if she encounters non-mahram men, she should drape a shawl or veil over her face. This should also be done during Tawaf and Sa'i.
❀ Sayyidah Aisha (رضي الله عنها) said:
"Caravans would pass by us while we were with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). When they came near, we would lower our outer garments from our heads over our faces, and when they had passed, we would uncover our faces."
[Sunan Abi Dawood and Sunan Ibn Majah]
According to the correct opinion, it is permissible for men to wear socks during Ihram, even if they are not cut, although the majority of scholars rule that they should be cut from the bottom. However, the correct view is that it is permissible to wear them without cutting if shoes are not available. This is because the Prophet (ﷺ) said during his sermon in Arafat:
"Whoever does not have an izar (lower garment), let him wear trousers, and whoever does not have sandals, let him wear khuffain (leather socks)."
[Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim]
On this occasion, the Prophet (ﷺ) did not command them to cut the socks, indicating that the command to cut them is abrogated. And Allah is the Grantor of success.
Question:
What is the ruling on women wearing socks and gloves in Ihram? Also, can a woman remove the Ihram clothing?
Answer:
It is preferable and more modest for women to wear socks and other coverings while in Ihram. However, if a woman enters Ihram in regular clothing, this is also sufficient. If she enters Ihram wearing socks and then removes them, there is no harm in that, just as there is no harm if a man enters Ihram wearing sandals and later removes them. However, a woman cannot enter Ihram wearing gloves, as this is prohibited for women, just as it is forbidden for them to cover their faces with a niqab, because the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prohibited this. However, if she encounters non-mahram men, she should drape a shawl or veil over her face. This should also be done during Tawaf and Sa'i.
❀ Sayyidah Aisha (رضي الله عنها) said:
"Caravans would pass by us while we were with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). When they came near, we would lower our outer garments from our heads over our faces, and when they had passed, we would uncover our faces."
[Sunan Abi Dawood and Sunan Ibn Majah]
According to the correct opinion, it is permissible for men to wear socks during Ihram, even if they are not cut, although the majority of scholars rule that they should be cut from the bottom. However, the correct view is that it is permissible to wear them without cutting if shoes are not available. This is because the Prophet (ﷺ) said during his sermon in Arafat:
"Whoever does not have an izar (lower garment), let him wear trousers, and whoever does not have sandals, let him wear khuffain (leather socks)."
[Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim]
On this occasion, the Prophet (ﷺ) did not command them to cut the socks, indicating that the command to cut them is abrogated. And Allah is the Grantor of success.