The ruling on praying in sandals in mosques in this era

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. He says: Is it permissible, and is it a recommended practice, in this era to wear sandals and pray in them in these mosques, following the example of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)?

Answer:
Praying in sandals is not obligatory. It is a recommended practice. It is a recommended practice, not obligatory. And if praying in them entails a danger of harming the mosques. You know the state of the mosques now.
They are cleaned and carpeted, and until recently, mosques were earthen and sandals did not affect them. Neither did walking in sandals or praying in them affect them. But now, since they have been paved, cleaned, and carpeted, if people were permitted to enter with their sandals, they would bring in dust and dirt, and the carpets would become soiled quickly. So this must be considered, and the etiquette of the mosques must be observed. Therefore, do not pray in sandals at this time, unless the mosque is earthen, as it was before the recent era.