In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.
Socks are of three types:
- Socks which are called khuffain (leather socks) it is permissible to make masah over them.
Jafar bin Amr bin Umaiya Ad-Damri narrates, my father said ‘I saw the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam passing wet hands over his khuffs (leather socks)’ (Sahih Bukhari)
Similarly, socks which have leather sole will be permissible to do masah on. (Darse Tirmizi p.334 v.1)
- If the socks are so thick that water does not seep through and can stand upright without having to be tied and are so durable that one can walk continuously for three to four miles without being torn, then it is permissible to do masah over such socks. (Kitabul Fiqh p.229 v.1)
- If the socks are thin and do not poses the quality of leather but are like regular socks made of cotton, wool etc….then it is the consensus of all the scholars that it is not permissible to do masah over them. (Bahrur Raaiq p.317 v.1 & Badaaius Sanaai p.10 v.1)
One may argue that there are hadiths regarding masah over non-leather socks (jawrab) therefore, why are their differences in opinions?
Mufti Taqi Uthmaani (D.B) writes in his Fiqhi Maqalaat ‘There are only three ahadith about doing masah on non-leather socks. One of Saaiduna Bilal Radiallahu Anhu in Majmaus Sagheer of Tabarani. Second of Saaiduna Abu Musa Al-Ashari Radiallahu Anhu in Sunan Ibn Majah and Sunan Baihaqi and the third of Saaiduna Mugheera bin Shubah in Sunan Tirmizi. Hafiz Zailaee in Nasbur Rayah (p.183 v.1) has written that the hadiths of Saaiduna Bilal & Saaiduna Abu Musa to be defective and weak. Imam Abu Dawud has written that these two hadiths sanad (chain) are not continuous nor reliable or strong. (Bazlul Majhood p.96 v.1)
As regards to the hadith of Saaiduna Mugheera bin Shubaah Radiallahu Anhu, Imam Tirmizi has claimed it to be Hasan Saheeh. However, other eminent Imams such as Imam Muslim, Imam Baihaqi, Imam Ahmad, Imam Thauri and many others clarified it to be weak. (Nasbur Rayah p.183 v.1)
It is not permissible to do masah over the turban, hat, burqah or gloves as there is no difficulty in removing such items. The same can be said regarding leather socks however, as the masah on leather socks has been proved through many authentic narrations; it is permissible to do masah on leather socks. (Raddul Muhtar p.457 v.1)
Furthermore, it is not permissible to do masah over shoes or trainers. This is the view held by the majority of scholars. (Maarifus Sunan p.347 v.1)
The reason for this is that Prophet of Allah Salallahu Alahi Wasalam wiped over his shoes only when he already was in the state of Wudhu. He would perform a fresh Wudhu for every prayer, because he was already in the state of Wudhu, instead of washing his feet he would wipe over his shoes. It is reported from Saaiduna Ali Radiallahu Anhu that he asked for a glass of water, he then performed a brief ablution and wiped over his shoes. He then said, this is how the Prophet of Allah Salallahu Alahi Wasalam used to perform his ablution when his ablution was not broken. (Sahih Ibn Khuzaimah , p.100 v. 1).
Only Allah Knows Best
Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham.