₦airaland Forum

09 Jumādal-Ūlā, 1447 A.H.
31 October, 2025

DESCRIPTION OF RITUAL PURIFICATION AND PRAYER IN ISLAM

(RULING AND METHOD OF WIPING OVER SOCKS IN ABLUTION)

By Imam AbdulWaahid Opeyemi Hussein (Onijo)

AlhamdulilLāh, Wassalātu Wassalāmu 'alā RasūlilLāh.

'IbādalLāh!

∆ The Sharī'ah (Islamic Law) is characterized by its flexibility, practicality, and removal of hardship from Muslims. The Islamic Shari‘ah was revealed with rulings that facilitate and ease the life of the believer. Among these concessions is the legislation of wiping over the khuffayn (leather socks), which Allāh has made an ease for believers in various circumstances.

∆ But what exactly is meant by wiping over the leather socks?

What is its ruling, method, conditions, and what invalidates it?

Linguistically, masḥ (wiping) means: passing the hand over something.

In the Shari‘ah, it refers to: passing a wet hand over the leather socks.

The Khuffayn (leather socks) which refers to what is worn on the feet are made of leather.

Included in this ruling are items that serve the same purpose — such as socks (jawārib).

The leather socks (Khuffayn) are not common anymore, most especially in our society here. Jawrab (sock), which is made of material other than leather are common nowadays.

Although the hadiths speak specifically about wiping over the khuffayn, scholars have extended the ruling to include socks by analogy.

∆ The ruling on wiping over socks is established in the Qur'an and Sunnah - Qur'an 5:6 and numerous Hadīths affirm this practice.

∆ However, there are certain conditions for wiping over the Khuffayn (leather socks)/woolen socks. What are these conditions?

1 The leather/woolen socks must be worn after a complete ablution (wudū), that is, before wearing your socks, you must perform ablution before you can be qualified to wipe over them in your subsequent ablutions.

2 The leather socks/woolen socks must cover the area required to be washed — the feet including the ankles.

Based on this:

* Short leather socks or short woolen socks that do not cover the required area cannot be wiped over.

* Leather socks or woolen socks with large holes cannot be wiped over.

* Leather socks or woolen socks with minor, small holes (according to custom) may still be wiped over.

3 They must be suitable for walking.

* If one cannot walk in them, there is no need to wear them, and thus no reason to wipe over them.

4 They must be pure in themselves.

* That's, It is not permissible to wipe over anything made of impure material (e.g., donkey skin).

* If they are pure but have become contaminated with impurity (najasah), one may wipe over them but cannot pray in them until the impurity is removed.

∆ What is the duration of Wiping?

For a resident: one day and one night (24 hours).

For a traveler: three days and nights (72 hours).

The time limit is specific. Therefore, once the period expires, wiping is no longer valid — even if exceeded by only a minute.

∆ When the Wiping Period Begins:

The stronger opinion is that the time begins from the first wiping after minor impurity, not from the time of wearing them.

So, if a person performs wudū, puts on his socks, then later invalidates his wudū and wipes over them — the count starts from that first wiping.

∆ Change of Status (Resident - Traveler):

If one starts wiping while resident then travels — he completes the traveler’s period.

And if one starts wiping while traveling then becomes resident — he completes the resident’s period.

∆ If the Period Expires While Still in wudū
The more correct opinion is that the purification becomes invalid once the time period ends, and the prayer will not be valid afterward until full wudū is performed again.

∆ If the Socks Are Removed after Wiping:

The more correct and cautious view is that the wudū becomes invalid if the socks are removed after wiping over them.

∆ How to Wipe:

Wiping is done over the upper part of the socks, not underneath.

If one wipes only underneath, it is invalid.

If one wipes both, it is valid but contrary to the Sunnah.


∆ Method:

Wet the fingers with water, place them on the toes, and draw them upward toward the shins, spreading the fingers to cover as much of the top as possible.

∆ What Invalidates the Wiping?

1 Anything that necessitates a full ritual bath such as sexual impurity.

2 Removing the sock or exposing the majority of the foot.

3 The expiration of the wiping period — 24 hours for the resident, 72 hours for the traveler.

∆ What is ruling on Praying While Wearing Shoes?

It is permissible to pray while wearing shoes if they are clean and pure.

Anas bn Mālik (may Allāh be pleased with him) was asked:

“Did the Prophet SAW pray in his shoes?”

He replied: “Yes.” (Bukhari & Muslim).

There is no difference whether the prayer is performed in a mosque, home, or open area.

However, if the shoes contain impurity, mud, or anything that may dirty the prayer area, one should remove them and not enter the mosque wearing them.

'IbādalLāh!

" إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِٱلْعَدْلِ وَٱلْإِحْسَٰنِ وَإِيتَآئِ ذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَيَنْهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْفَحْشَآءِ وَٱلْمُنكَرِ وَٱلْبَغْىِ ۚ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ "

Indeed, Allah (swt) is commanding you and I that we should practice justice in all our dealings, that we should be good to one another and we should give to our relatives and those who are close to us when we have in excess. And Allah is forbidding that we should engage in any sort of immoralities, atrocities and unfairness. This is the admonition of Allah that we must take.
Quran (16:90).

AllBlack:
There is nothing like SOON on the calendar.
Jail him right now but they can't.

It is already more than 3 years so How long should it take? I want you to confidently tell me that he will be jailed before this year ends But you can't because you know this is just a charade that will spill into next year.

That's the game Nigerians government playing.
But did you my surprise about you igbos is just the way you're all supporting the evil this guy performing.

chiagozien:
And you hate him despite he didn't kill your people?



But those you claim he killed love him, what could be the reason behind it?

Am not a killer like you and him to know the reason behind it.
I pray make federal government let Igbo go their ways.

truthera:
Kanu, you have already won the battle. Nigeria as a country is finished.... shameless useless country. Justice Omotosho is a disgrace...

See how person wey normal dey call his father land.
And seun and mod welcomed you for this insulting on our nation.

RealityKings1:
Instead of you to just say you are sorry for all you have done and apologise. For them to have gone through alot to get you back in the country, you think they'll just tell you to go home?

Are you innocent?

He's followers no have Brian capacity to comprehend this at all.

RealityKings1:
Instead of you to just say you are sorry for all you have done and apologise. For them to have gone through alot to get you back in the country, you think they'll just tell you to go home?

Are you innocent?

He's followers no have Brian capacity to comprehend this at all.

derecho:
This is what they call "change am for Dem"

To be honest, what are they even doing? What crime are you charging him for?

The worst you can do is kill him

Because your family no dey among those he asked his men to kill abi.

chiagozien:
God bless Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.





We love you so much

Yes you all love despite ordering your people's to be kill.
He will be jailed very soon...!

truthera:
Kanu, you have already won the battle. Nigeria as a country is finished.... shameless useless country. Justice Omotosho is a disgrace...

He would be jail soon just wait and see.

dammyz101:
So where do almagiris come from?

Lol 😂😆😆😆
Nice question oh

SpencerForbes:
I’m not trying to be tribalistic but I think south west should be fact-checked

He no hard now just line up ladies around you and do the checkout is very simple.

Mirasteel:
They should release that man, if Nigerian government can release terrorist that has killed thousands of people, why can't they release this one? are they afraid because he's the head of IPOB?

They will release him soon and he will order for killing of your people as usual.

Protest for a killer are you alright.

Justiceleague1:
What some wicked Nigerians don't know is that they are already being punished by the universe. Look at them gloating and making mockery if themselves over this shameless drama.

The evil and bloodshed happening everyday was predicted by this same Kanu and yet he's in jail and Nigerians are mocking him when they should be out protesting for his release!
That was how the universe gave them GEJ but they rejected him and embraced buhari and here we are today.

And they cry and weep everyday over hardship and killings and think the universe got time for rubbish..

We don't use mayor in Nigeria.
Wike my man be informed early your successor is warming up

GrammarNazi1:
One person impregnating 4 women.

Congratulations to the women.

Simple as that

Ezeama400:
It shall never be well with those anti Christians that don’t want Trump’s intervention..

Very wicked people

You have issues with yourself and how to comprehend matter

Omooba77:
Honestly this is getting out of hand, my mum's sister, her husband's mum is from this place........

Are you from Ifelodun local government?

NaijaRoyalty:
The truth is , we don't have a president in this country

It is all man for himself

What do we now have?

God bless my Yoruba land Amin.
Continue leading in every roles let our enemy falls behind

chiagozien:
Trump is coming

Heaven want to fall in Nigeria's I think you're in abroad

If obi be our president country will have bad by now.
And what's your gain if us attack Nigeria as you all are clamour for.

AqualinaXYZ:
Make i screenshot this one too send to Trump



Me and him dey chat since yesterday



People wey wan teach Peter Obi lesson don go match Oxford lesson teacher shoe

This is a welcome development if they actually mean well to tackle the terrorist.
But bad Belle and religious bigotry as miss informed the USA.

Smartcitizen:
Sultan give us proof and stop blowing hot air with emotions.

We want to know where everyone stands now, no more pretending and people will be dieing in numbers.


🥱🥱🥱🥱

Evidence of what offense if I may ask you Mr Smart?

The good old days.
Indomie generation can never relate

Igbos are always dreaming😴💭

YouAreNobody:
Tunde, are you from Lagos State?
Accept your Ogbomosho in peace. Why are most yorubas always ashamed they're from Ekiti or Oyo or Ondo?

Yes

SeeWahala:
Just look at Yoruba king's acting like women on menses

Tufiakwa!

Igbos no get kings lineage no put mouth for matter wey no dey your lineage.

Bobloco:
Another Propaganda to portray that Tinubu is working

Don't be dumb ask what you don't know.
Stop hypocrites and hating

See what we're telling them.
Anyway so far they will behave well in our Lagos they're welcome but...!

He's followers no go like you because he's there Messiah.
So not talk like that to their Messiah

Jayhome24:
Pls is this man going mental somehow?

Pls this is no longer a joke as he is going he might name Trump, Putin, King harles of England, Barack Obama, George Bush, Buhari(dead), Mandela(dead), Margaret Thatcher(dead), Nnamid Azikwe(dead) even I won't be surprise he call Awolowo as witness too.

I noticed depression or likely mental issue or early sign of dementia.