Shariah has permitted making masah on Khuffain (leather socks) with the following conditions.
- They cover the feet upto and including the ankle
- It is possible to walk in them for 3 Shari’ miles
- Must be able to stand on its own because of its thickness, (not because of its elasticity or tightness)
- Water should not seep through and reach the feet.
It is permissible for one to make Masah on the Khuffain as a substitute for making Wudhu on condition one make’s complete Wudhu before wearing the leather socks. Moreover, the Masah will be valid for one day and one night for a non-traveller (Muqeem) and three days and three nights for a traveller (Musafir) from the time one’s wudhu breaks.
Masah should be made on the top section of the leather socks and not of the soles. The method of performing the masah is that after wetting the fingers, they should be placed in the front i.e. the toes. Place the fingers flat on the socks with the palms away from them. Thereafter, draw or pull the fingers towards the ankles. If the palms are also placed flat on the socks together with the fingers, it will be permissible.
Sayyiduna ‘Amr ibn Umayya Damri (Radiallahu Anhu) reports: I saw Nabi (صلى الله عليه و سلم) making masah of his leather socks and turban. [Sahihul-Bukhari Vol 1 Page 33]
It is a well-known fact that wiping over Khuffain (leather socks) in place of washing feet in Wudhu is valid. Hāfidh Ibn Al-Hajar Rahimahullāh states in his commentary on Sahīh Al-Bukhārī:
“It has been narrated on the authority of Sa’d Ibn Abi Waqqās Radiallahu Ta’āla Anhu that the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam used to perform masāh over the leather socks.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari 1/51)
“It has been reported by Urwā Ibn Mugheerāh Radiallahu Ta’alā Anhu on the authority of his father that the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam performed wudu and then after performed masāh over the leather socks….” (Sahih Muslim 1/230)
It has been reported that Hasan Al-Basri Rahmatullahi Alaihi said: “I encountered a group of seventy Sahābah Radiallahu Ta’alā Anhum. Each one of them held the view of performing masāh over the leather socks.” (Al-Muheet Al-Burhāni Fi Fiqh An-Nu’mani 1/167)
Leather socks are tight fit and are not bulky like shoes or boots.
It is possible to make masah on leather socks and read Salah the Sunnah way with the leather socks.
Ridhwan Ur Rahman, Student Darul Iftaa,Cardiff, Wales, UK
Checked and Approved by, Mufti Ebrahim Desai
1. Wiping [masah] over leather socks or those socks that are similar to leather socks in their properties is one thing and wiping on regular socks is a totally different thing with the latter having no no proof or basis.
2. It is only permissible to wipe on those socks which are similar to leather socks, meaning they have the following characteristics:
a.) They are not transparent and water does not seep through and reach the feet.
b.) Due to their thickness, they stay upright on their own (without tying them).
c.) It is possible to walk at least 3.45 miles (1 farsakh = 3 Shar'i miles x 1.15 = 3.45 miles) in these socks without tearing them.
The following response is adapted from a fatwa by Mufti Taqi Uthmani (may Allah preserve him) with additions as appropriate in response to the points presented in the inquiry.
No Authentic Hadith On Wiping Over “Jawrabayn”:
→ There is no authentic hadith that proves the permissibility of wiping [masah] over jawrabayn, not even one.
→ There are 3 weak ahadith that mention wiping over “jawrabayn” - and by “jawrabayn” is not meant the thin, regular socks common in our time
All of the four mujtahid Imams (Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Malik, Imam Shafi and Imam Ahmad) are unanimous and there is a consensus on the fact that it is not permissible to wipe over thin socks. This goes to show how important this issue is in that it goes against the consensus of all four Imams whose superiority in fiqh is paramount and admitted by all.
In 'Awn al-Ma'bud, a commentary of Sunan Abu Dawud, the author has stated that “jawrab” can be from leather, wool, or cotton and each one is referred to as “jawrab”. However, he states that permissibility of making masah on regular socks cannot be given until it is established that Rasulullah (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) made masah on socks made from (for example) wool.
How was a jawrab in the time of the companions and the followers?
→ Yes, the Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with them) made masah on socks that were thick and similar to leather socks in their properties, not the socks that are in regular use today.
→ Mufti Taqi Uthmani (may Allah preserve him) writes that there is no evidence to show that the Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with them) made masah on thin socks.
→ The article quotes Imam Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) relating that it is reported from Umar and Ali (may Allah be pleased with them both) about the permissibility of making masah on socks even if they are thin. However, this report is contradictory because in the same sentence, Imam Nawawi mentions that this view (of wiping on thin socks) is also the view of Ishaq, Abu Yusuf and Muhammad (may Allah have mercy on them). [vii] However, these three are of the view that the socks have to be thick as mentioned by Imam Tirmidhi (may Allah have mercy on him) and also clarified further in Tuhfa al-Ahwazi and 'Awn Al-Ma'bud.
Secondly, another eminent Sha'fi scholar, Umrani (may Allah have mercy on him) mentions in Bayan that what is, in fact related from Umar and Ali (may Allah be pleased with them both) concerns thick, strong sock [jawrab safiq]
In the presence of contradictory statements we cannot give weight to the permissibility of masah on thin socks, especially since statements from leading followers [ta'bin] who saw what the Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with them) wore with their own eyes and made it a condition that these socks be thick and strong for masah to be permissible:
“It is related that Said ibn Al-Musayyab and Hasan al-Basri stated: '(It is allowed) to do masah on those socks which are thick and strong [safiq].
Mufti Taqi Uthmani (may Allah protect him) states that the above fatwa of these two eminent followers establishes that the type of socks worn by the Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with them) were none other than the type that are similar to leather socks in their characteristics.
The definition of thick and strong [safiq] as defined by our jurists [fuqaha] is mentioned in the beginning of this answer.
Ibn Qayyim's View
→ What has been mentioned about the views of Ibn Qayyim or Ibn Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on them) approving the use of all types of socks, then with due respect to their knowledge, this is an opinion that goes against the overwhelming majority: Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Shafi, Imam Malik, Imam Ahmad, Abdullah ibn Mubarak, Sufyan al-Thawri, Hasan al-Basri, Said ibn al-Musayyab (may Allah have mercy on them) and many others. The view of the former group also has no concrete proof that would establish that the jawrab can be of any type and does not need to be like the khuff in its characteristics.
Some experts of Hadīth have gathered the (number of) Companions who narrate Ahādīth with regards to wiping over Khuffain and they (the Companions) reached over eighty (in number). (Fath Al-Bārī)
The common word used in books of Ahādīth for socks is خفين (Khuffain). Khuffan refers leather socks. Another word used isجوربين (Jawrabain) which are socks made from wool, cotton, etc.
Jawrabain are further divided into three types:
1.منعلين (Muna’alain) – The soles (bottom of the socks) have leather.
2.مجلدين(Mujalladain)- The top and bottom have leather.
3.Plain Jawrabain- This does not have leather at all
There are four conditions for socks to be classified as thick. Allāmah Haskafi Rahimahullāh mentions in his work named “Ad-Durr Al-Mukhtār”:
Characteristics of thick socks:
1.Must be able to walk 3 Shari’ miles without tear
2.Must be able to stand on its own because of its thickness, (not because of its elasticity or tightness)
3. Water should not seep through and reach the feet
4. Must not be transparent that the foot is visible (Radd Al-Muhtār)
In conclusion, the following points are clear from the aforementioned information:
1. It is permissible to wipe over full leather socks.
2. It is permissible to wipe over Mujalladain (leather on top and bottom of the socks).
3.With regards to non-leather socks that do not have any leather, they must meet the requirements of thickness in order for wiping to be valid.
4.Non-leather thin socks like the cotton and nylon socks etc. are unanimously impermissible for wiping.
In issues of Ibādāt (worships) like Wudhu, Salāh, Haj, etc. we should exercise precaution as it is our means of communicating with Allāh and relating to Allāh. Allāh is perfect. We should offer our best to Allāh. We should thus abstain from anything that is doubtful. Every endeavor should be made to make our acts of worship acceptable to Allāh. Wudhu is a pre-requisite for the validity of Salāh. Rasullullāh Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam has stated:
“The key to Salāh is purification.” (Sunan At-Tirmidhī, Vol. 1, Page 6)
How does one make masah on leather socks during wudhu ?
It is fardh to make masah equal to the area of three fingers on each leather sock. The preferable method of making masah is that it should be made with the palm-side of the hands and on the top of the leather sock. Once the fingers are wet, place them flat on the socks with the palms away from them, thereafter pull the fingers towards the ankles.
(Badaa’iu Al Sanaai’i V-1, P-87-88 Darul Kitaab) (Bahishti Zewar P-86 Zam Zam)
It is permissible for one to make Masah on the Khuffain as a substitute for making Wudhu on condition one make’s complete Wudhu before wearing the leather socks. Moreover, the Masah will be valid for one day and one night for a non-traveller (Muqeem) and three days and three nights for a traveller (Musafir) from the time one’s wudhu breaks.
The washing of feet in wudu is a direct injunction of the Qur’an. Allah Ta’ala says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَاغْسِلُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى الْمَرَافِقِ وَامْسَحُوا بِرُءُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ (المائده)
O you who believe, when you rise for Salah, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, and make Masah (wiping by hands) of your head and (wash) you feet up to the ankles. (al-Ma’idah – 6)
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