Assalamu alaikum wa rahmathullahi wa barakaatuhu.
I work in Saudi Arabia. The imam of the mosque near to my home is found doing masah on normal socks. Can we continue our prayers behind him (or) Shall I pray with jamat with my family members (wife and children) at my home.
Jazakallahu khairan.
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
It is not permissible to make Masah on regular cotton socks. All four Imams of Fiqh have consensus in this matter.[1] Therefore, if an Imam made Masah on regular socks, his Wudhu is invalid, thus making the Salah invalid.[2]
It is the duty of the Imam to facilitate for all the Musallees’ by washing his feet and not wiping over cotton socks. The Musallees’ or trustees of the Masjid should approach the Imam and request him to facilitate for all the Musallees’.
Furthermore, if one has a strong doubt whether the Imam did or did not wash his feet, then in principle, it is Makrooh Tahreemi (discouraged) to pray behind such an Imam.[3]
If the Imam is not willing to cooperate, we advise you to pray Salah with Jama’ah in another Masjid.
You may refer to #19811 and #15284 for detailed Fatawa on making Masah on regular socks.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Abdullah Syed Sajid
Student Darul Iftaa
Houston, TX, USA
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
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[1] الأصل للشيباني ط قطر (1/ 72)
قلت: أرأيت رجلاً توضأ ومسح على جوربيه (6) ونعليه أو على جوربيه (7) بغير نعلين؟ قال (8): لا يجزيه المسح على شيء من ذلك
مختصر القدوري (ص: 17)
ولا يجوز المسح على الجوربين عند أبي حنيفة رحمه الله
[2] مختصر القدوري (ص: 30)
ومن اقتدى بإمام ثم علم أنه على غير وضوء إعاد الصلاة
فتاوى محموديه (جلد ٨/ ص ٢٠٨)
الدر المختار وحاشية ابن عابدين (رد المحتار) (1/ 563) [3]
لكن في وتر البحر إن تيقن المراعاة لم يكره، أو عدمها لم يصح، وإن شك كره يكره تحريما