Ruling on Wiping Over Socks Without Intention After Wudu
Source: Ahkam wa Masail – Chapter: Issues of Purification, Vol. 1, p. 85
A person performed wudu, then wore socks as usual. At the time of the next prayer, he wiped over his socks and prayed, saying that since he had worn the socks in a state of wudu, he could wipe over them. However, he did not make any intention for wiping (masah). Is this wiping valid?
Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ‘ala Rasulillah, amma ba’d!
If no intention was made at the time of wiping over the socks, then the wiping is not valid, because the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
«إِنَّمَا الأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ»
“Indeed, actions are judged by intentions.”
Therefore, if someone wore socks while in a state of wudu but did not intend wiping over them — and later wiped without making the intention — that wiping is not valid in Shari‘ah.
However, if the intention was not made at the time of wearing the socks but was made at the time of wiping, then the wiping is considered valid.
The author of al-Hidayah stated:
“According to Imam Abu Hanifah (رحمه الله), wiping over socks is only permissible if they are mujallad (covered with leather) or mu‘na‘al (with soles).
Imam Abu Yusuf and Imam Muhammad (رحمهما الله) said: It is permissible if the socks are thick enough so that the skin does not show through.
It is reported that Imam Abu Hanifah later retracted to their view, and this is the position on which the fatwa is given.”
(Al-Hidayah, with Fath al-Qadir 1/138–139)
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
Source: Ahkam wa Masail – Chapter: Issues of Purification, Vol. 1, p. 85
Question
A person performed wudu, then wore socks as usual. At the time of the next prayer, he wiped over his socks and prayed, saying that since he had worn the socks in a state of wudu, he could wipe over them. However, he did not make any intention for wiping (masah). Is this wiping valid?
Answer
Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ‘ala Rasulillah, amma ba’d!
If no intention was made at the time of wiping over the socks, then the wiping is not valid, because the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
«إِنَّمَا الأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ»
“Indeed, actions are judged by intentions.”
Therefore, if someone wore socks while in a state of wudu but did not intend wiping over them — and later wiped without making the intention — that wiping is not valid in Shari‘ah.
However, if the intention was not made at the time of wearing the socks but was made at the time of wiping, then the wiping is considered valid.
Wiping Over Socks – Hanafi Position
The author of al-Hidayah stated:
“According to Imam Abu Hanifah (رحمه الله), wiping over socks is only permissible if they are mujallad (covered with leather) or mu‘na‘al (with soles).
Imam Abu Yusuf and Imam Muhammad (رحمهما الله) said: It is permissible if the socks are thick enough so that the skin does not show through.
It is reported that Imam Abu Hanifah later retracted to their view, and this is the position on which the fatwa is given.”
(Al-Hidayah, with Fath al-Qadir 1/138–139)
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
