Question:
I have seen some brothers performing Salaat always in their shoes under no special circumstances. Please I need Qur’anic and hadith sources to enable me correct this “Bid’ah” innovations. this idea was not the practice until another brother who is a little bit knowledgeable in islam join the Jamaat of unlearned muslim
Answer:
In Surah Taha, verse 12 Allah instructs Nabi Moosa (A.S.) to remove his shoes before stepping onto holy soil, “It is I Who is thy Sustainer, so remove thy sandals. Indeed thou art on a sacred valley of Tuwa.” The Masaajid too are venerated sites of Allah, “And that, all places of worship are meant for (the adoration of) Allah, therefore do not invoke anyone with Allah.” (Surah Jinn, verse 18)
Performing Salaah in shoes is against the etiquettes of the Masjid since shoes are likely to carry all sorts of impurities and dirt which stain the carpets of the Masjid.
The Fuqahaa have written, that it is Makrooh (odious) to perform Salaah in ones shoes and clearly explained that in the time of the Prophet (S.A.W.) and the Sahabah (R.A.), the floor of Masjidun Nabawee was covered in pebbles and not carpet. Therefore, they were obliged to perform Salaah in their shoes.
These individuals should be asked that would they step onto the newly, expensive carpets of their homes with their shoes. Then why walk with shoes in the house of Allah?
(Raddul Muhtaar, Vol. 2, Page 469, Fataawaa Mahmoodiyah, Vol. 13, Page 66-67)
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Ebrahim bin Zainul Abedeen Backus
Attested to as correct by:
Mufti Muhammad Ashraf
Darul Iftaa
Jameah Mahmoodiyah
Springs
11 May 2005
02 Rabee’uth Thaani 1426