Answered by Shaykh Abdullah Anik Misra
Question
I wear waterproof socks (wudhu socks), and I wear another pair of normal cloth socks over the wudhu socks. Can I make masah on these normal socks or do I have to remove them and make masah on the wudhu socks only?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate
It would only be permissible to wipe over the “normal” socks that you wear over the waterproof socks if the socks on top fulfill the conditions of wiping over footgear, and both pairs are initially worn on the feet in a state of ritual purity (wudu). However, if the cloth socks on top do not fulfill the conditions to be wiped over validly in themselves, the wiping will have to be done directly over the waterproof pair underneath.
The regular upper socks need not be removed entirely during wiping; the wiping can be easily achieved by slipping a wet hand underneath the top sock to wipe directly on top of the lower one.
Imam Marghinani writes, “And if the (outer footgear worn on top of the “khuff”, or wiping sock) is made of (a specific unfit type of) cotton, then it will not be permissible to wipe over this since it does not fulfill conditions in itself (to be wiped in place of washing the foot) unless the drops were to seep through it and onto the khuff (i.e., wiping sock below).” [Marghinani, al-Hidaya]
Related:
Is It Permitted to Wipe Over Thick Socks?
Wassalam,
[Shaykh] Abdullah Anik Misra
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Shaykh Abdullah Misra was born in Toronto, Canada, in 1983. His family hails from India, and he was raised in the Hindu tradition. He embraced Islam in 2001 while at the University of Toronto, from where he completed a Bachelor of Business Administration. He then traveled overseas in 2005 to study the Arabic language and Islamic sciences in Tarim, Yemen, for some time, as well as Darul Uloom in Trinidad, West Indies. He spent 12 years in Amman, Jordan, where he focused on Islamic Law, Theology, Hadith Sciences, Prophetic Biography, and Islamic Spirituality while also working at the Qasid Arabic Institute as Director of Programs. He holds a BA in Islamic Studies (Alimiyya, Darul Uloom) and authorization in the six authentic books of Hadith and is currently pursuing specialized training in issuing Islamic legal verdicts (ifta’). He holds a certificate in Counselling and often works with new Muslims and those struggling with religious OCD. He is an instructor and researcher in Sacred Law and Theology with the SeekersGuidance The Global Islamic Seminary. Currently, He resides in the Greater Toronto Area with his wife and children. His personal interests include Indian history, comparative religion, English singing, and poetry.