Answered by Shaykh Hamza Karamali, SunniPath Academy Teacher
If someone put on khuffs before zuhr made the pre-zuhr sunna rakats and the zuhr prayer itself however in between the zuhr prayer and the post-prayer sunnas broke their wudu could they make zuhr the next day (if resident) or zuhr three days later (if traveler) by wiping over the khuffs?
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate
The time-limit for wiping over footgear (khuff) is 24 hours (one day and one night) for a non-traveller and 72 hours (three days and three nights) for a traveller. This time starts from the first invalidation of one’s wudu after wearing the footgear. In the case described in your question, the clock would start ticking from the time your wudu was invalidated. So, for example, if your sequence of actions was as follows,
10.00 a.m. You make wudu and wear your footgear
12.30 p.m. You pray your pre-zuhr sunnas followed by your zuhr prayer
12.45 p.m. You wudu is invalidated, so you re-perform your wudu and wipe over your footgear. then you may pray while having wiped your footgear until 12.45 p.m. the following day if you are a non-traveller, and until 12.45 p.m. three days later if you are a traveller.
So if, as a non-traveller, you pray zuhr before 12.45 p.m. the following day, you may pray while having wiped over your footgear. If you pray zuhr after 12.45 p.m., then you will have to remove your footgear and wash your feet before praying.
And Allah knows best.
Hamza.