The Ruling on Wearing Leather Socks (Khuffayn) in the State of Ihram

Question:
These are the words, and we will review some of the questions that have come in regarding Hajj, and we will begin with them.

Answer:
If he needs them, he wears the sandals. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged wearing sandals. So if he does not find sandals, he wears the leather socks (khuffayn). He wears the leather socks, and the scholars differed on whether to cut them below the ankles or not. The correct view is that he does not cut them, but rather he wears them if he lacks sandals. And whoever does not find sandals, let him wear the leather socks. He said this in Makkah: "And let him cut them below the ankles." Then, at 'Arafah, he said: "And whoever does not find sandals, let him wear the leather socks," and he did not order them to be cut. So the practice is based on the last hadith. They said it does not abrogate the first. He wears them because cutting them would spoil them. He wears them if he needs them and does not cut them below the ankles.