The Ruse of Wearing Khuffayn or Socks in Order to Wipe Over Them

Question : In matters of worship. A man wears khuffayn and socks solely so that he may wipe over them; he has no other purpose but this. So this is a ruse to avoid the obligation of washing the feet, because if a man’s feet are not covered by socks or khuffayn, washing them is obligatory. This man wears the socks and khuffayn in order to wipe and not wash his feet. Is this permissible or not?

Answer : We say that there is no doubt that wiping over the feet, if they are covered by socks or khuffayn, is a purpose intended by the Shari'ah and established, to the extent that al-Mughirah ibn Shu'bah (may Allah be pleased with him), when he wanted to remove the khuffayn of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him and his family), said, “Leave them, for I put them on while in a state of purity,” and he wiped over them. So we say that if one wears them in order to wipe, taking the dispensement of Allah, this is a purpose intended by the Shari'ah and there is no harm in it. But if one wears them solely to avoid the washing, this becomes either disliked or forbidden, according to the difference of opinion among the scholars.