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Taking off leather socks before the time expires

Answered as per Hanafi Fiqh by TheMufti.com

Q. I was travelling and I stopped half way at a garage to make Wudhu and perform Salaah. I had my leather socks on from the Morning which I had made Masah on already. Whilst I was making Wudhu, I mistakenly removed one of my leather socks and washed my foot. I didn’t know what to do so I removed both socks, washed my feet and then performed Salaah. Was this correct?


A. The duration permitted for a traveller (Musaafir) to make Masah (wipe) over leather socks is 3 days and 3 nights and for a non-traveller (Muqeem), 1 day and 1 night.

However, if during the period permitted for one to make Masah over leather socks, one or both of the leather socks are removed, the duration permitted to make Masah terminates and the following applies:

  1. The leather sock/s were removed whilst in the state of Wudhu – The washing of both feet are necessary for the Wudhu to be considered complete
  2. The leather sock/s were removed whilst not in the state of Wudhu – A complete Wudhu is necessary with the washing of both feet

Thus, in the enquired case, it was correct for you to remove the other sock and wash both feet to perform Salaah. (Badaai’ 1/12)

Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

Mufti Ismaeel Bassa

This answer was collected from TheMufti.com, which is a fatwa portal managed by Mufti Ismaeel Bassa from South Africa.

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