Ruling on Wiping Over Socks and Its Duration
The permissibility of wiping over socks and footwear is well-established through the teachings of the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him). It is allowed to wipe over leather socks (khuffain), regular socks (juraab), sandals, as well as wraps or cloths that cover the feet. According to Islamic texts, a Muslim is permitted to wipe over socks for a period of one day and one night for residents, and for three days and nights for travelers. The prevailing view among scholars regarding the commencement of this duration is that it starts from the first wipe after a state of ritual impurity (hadath), rather than from when the socks are worn or the time of the impurity. For instance, if a Muslim performs ablution (wudu) for the Fajr prayer, puts on his socks, and then breaks his wudu at nine in the morning without performing it again, then wudu again around noon while wiping over his socks, the time begins from that moment and will last for one day and one night if he is a resident. The state of purity does not invalidate with the expiration of the wiping duration; rather, it is annulled by recognized factors such as the occurrence of hadath.
Conditions for Wiping Over Socks
There are several conditions for wiping over socks, which are outlined as follows:
- The socks must be worn while in a state of purity.
- The socks or footwear must themselves be pure.
- The wiping should occur during a state of minor impurity (hadath asghar), not major impurity (hadath akbar) such as post-sex impurity requiring full ritual washing (ghusl).
- Wiping must occur within the legally defined time frame; specifically, one day and night for residents, and three days and nights for travelers.
How to Wipe Over Socks
The correct method for wiping over socks or footwear is to wipe over their surfaces, not the insides. It has been reported from Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: “I saw the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) wiping over the surface of his socks.” This action involves passing wet hands over the sock once. It is not necessary for the entire surface of the sock or shoe to be wiped; wiping a portion of it is sufficient to fulfill the requirement.