What is the evidence for wiping over socks rather than leather socks, given that many people deny this on the grounds that the evidence was revealed regarding wiping over leather socks and not over socks?
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The questioner : What is the evidence for wiping over socks rather than leather socks, given that many people deny this on the grounds that the evidence was revealed regarding wiping over leather socks and not over socks? And is it required when wiping over socks that water not reach the skin? We ask the honorable Shaykh for an answer.
The Shaykh : First, wiping over leather socks is a recommended practice (sunnah), meaning that if a person has leather socks on, performs ablution, and wishes to remove them and then wash his feet, he would not be sinful for doing so, but he would be acting contrary to the Sunnah. This is because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) performed ablution while wearing leather socks, and al-Mughirah ibn Shu'bah wanted to remove his leather socks, so the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said:Sahih al-Bukhari 206.
Second: wiping over socks, which are the socks, has a hadith reported from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and it is authentic from more than one Companion that he wiped over socks. Even if we assume there is no Sunnah from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) and no report from the Companions, the clear and evident analogical reasoning (qiyas) necessitates the permissibility of wiping over socks, that is, the socks. This is because we know that the wisdom behind the permissibility of wiping over leather socks is the hardship that arises from removing them during ablution, then washing the foot, and then putting it back in while it is wet. There is hardship in the removal and wearing, and in putting the wet foot in. This is a reasonable and clear wisdom, and this reasonable and clear wisdom is exactly the same in the case of socks. There is hardship in removing them, and another hardship in putting them on while the foot is wet. Therefore, we see that both the text and reasoning indicate the permissibility of wiping over socks. But is it required that the socks, that is, the socks, be thick enough that the skin is not visible through them, or is it not required? This is a point of disagreement among scholars. Some said: It is required that they be thick and not reveal the skin, and that if a tear occurs, even a small one like the size of a button, it is not permissible to wipe over them.
And some said: It is required that they be thick enough to prevent water from reaching the foot, even if they are not covering. On this view, it is permissible to wipe over socks if they are made of transparent nylon.
And some said: None of that is required, and it is permissible to wipe over thin socks, even if the skin is visible through them, and even if water can pass through them to the foot. This is the correct opinion because there is no evidence for the condition, and the wisdom for the permissibility of wiping exists in thin socks just as it exists in thick ones.
On this view, it is permissible to wipe over light socks just as it is permissible to wipe over thick socks. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you. The listener K M L says.
The Shaykh : First, wiping over leather socks is a recommended practice (sunnah), meaning that if a person has leather socks on, performs ablution, and wishes to remove them and then wash his feet, he would not be sinful for doing so, but he would be acting contrary to the Sunnah. This is because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) performed ablution while wearing leather socks, and al-Mughirah ibn Shu'bah wanted to remove his leather socks, so the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said:
He ordered me to leave them as he had put them after performing ablution. So he passed wet hands over them.
دعهما، فإني أدخلتهما طاهرتين، فمسح عليهماSecond: wiping over socks, which are the socks, has a hadith reported from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and it is authentic from more than one Companion that he wiped over socks. Even if we assume there is no Sunnah from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) and no report from the Companions, the clear and evident analogical reasoning (qiyas) necessitates the permissibility of wiping over socks, that is, the socks. This is because we know that the wisdom behind the permissibility of wiping over leather socks is the hardship that arises from removing them during ablution, then washing the foot, and then putting it back in while it is wet. There is hardship in the removal and wearing, and in putting the wet foot in. This is a reasonable and clear wisdom, and this reasonable and clear wisdom is exactly the same in the case of socks. There is hardship in removing them, and another hardship in putting them on while the foot is wet. Therefore, we see that both the text and reasoning indicate the permissibility of wiping over socks. But is it required that the socks, that is, the socks, be thick enough that the skin is not visible through them, or is it not required? This is a point of disagreement among scholars. Some said: It is required that they be thick and not reveal the skin, and that if a tear occurs, even a small one like the size of a button, it is not permissible to wipe over them.
And some said: It is required that they be thick enough to prevent water from reaching the foot, even if they are not covering. On this view, it is permissible to wipe over socks if they are made of transparent nylon.
And some said: None of that is required, and it is permissible to wipe over thin socks, even if the skin is visible through them, and even if water can pass through them to the foot. This is the correct opinion because there is no evidence for the condition, and the wisdom for the permissibility of wiping exists in thin socks just as it exists in thick ones.
On this view, it is permissible to wipe over light socks just as it is permissible to wipe over thick socks. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you. The listener K M L says.