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Is it permissible to wipe over thin socks when doing Wudoo`?

Answered as per Shafi'i Fiqh by Darul Iftaa Jordan
Is it permissible to wipe over thin socks when doing Wudoo`?

Answer:
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds, and may His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all His family and companions.

In light of the conditions stipulated by the majority of the Muslim scholars in this regard, it isn`t permissible to wipe over most types of socks which people wear nowadays,because they are either too thin that they show the color of the skin beneath them or too thick, but don`t meet the other conditions stipulated by the scholars.

According to the reliable opinion of the Hanafi scholars, one should be able to walk in them for a league, as stated in the book "Ad-DurAl-Mokhtar":"It is permissible for a person to wipe over thick socks in which he can walk for a league, don`t fall down his feet and don`t show the color of the skin beneath them. Kindly refer to the book "Raad Al-Mohtar, 1/269". According to the Hanafi school of thought, one league equals {5565 Meters}, as stated in the book "Al-MakayeelWalMawazeen Ash-Shar'iyah" (IslamicMeasurements)byShaykh `Ali Gomaa.

According to the reliable opinion of the Maliki scholars, it is conditioned that the socks are covered with leather from the upper and lower parts, as stated in the book " Al-Mokhtasar" with the explanation by Sheikh Ad-Dardeer{May Allah be pleased with him}: "It is permissible for a man or a woman, travelling or not, to wipe over the socks whose upper(facing the sky) and lower(facing the ground) parts are covered with leather."{Al-Shareh Al-Khabeer with Hashyat Ad-Dusookhi, 1/141}.

According to the reliable opinion of the Shafi scholars, it is conditioned that the socks prevent the water from reaching the feet, as stated by Ibn Hajar Al-Haithami{May Allah have mercy on him}: "It isn`t permissible to wipe over the socks which don`t prevent water from reaching the feet in case it was poured on them, even if one can walk in them, according to the strongest opinion of the Shafi school of thought."{Tohfat Al-Mohtajj, 1/141"

In fact, socks which ordinary people wear nowadays don`t meet the conditions stipulated by the above schools of thought.

As for the Hanbali scholars, they have stipulated that the socks don`t show the color of the skin beneath them and don`t fall down. This is the key condition stated in most of their books, and exists in most socks thatordinary people wear nowadays.

Ibn Qhodamah{May Allah have mercy on him} said, "The socks that don`t show the color of the skin beneath them and don`t fall down……..If one can walk in them and they don`t fall down then it is permissible to wipe over them. He also said that it is permissible to wipe over them if they hold on to the heel bone. He further added that it is permissible to wipe over them if one can walk in them."{Al-Moghni, 1/215}.

In conclusion, it is permissible to wipe over socks,when doing Wudoo`, which don`t show the color of the skin beneath them. This is according to the view of the Hanbalischool of the thought and one view of the Shafi school. And Allah knows best.

This answer was collected from the official government Iftaa Department of Jordan.