What is the ruling in the religion regarding a man who prays wearing sandals? Is his prayer valid or not?
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The questioner : He says in his letter: What is the ruling in the religion regarding a man who prays wearing shoes or sandals? Is his prayer valid or not?
The Shaykh : A man’s prayer while wearing sandals is better than his prayer when he is not wearing sandals. That is, it is better for a person to keep his sandals on and pray in them if he is already wearing them, because that is the guidance of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). It is established in "the two Sahihs" from Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that he was asked: "Did the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) pray in his sandals?" He said: "Yes, he used to pray in his sandals." And because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded prayer in sandals, saying:Sunan Abi Dawud 652Sahih (Al-Albani) However, what is criticized in the behavior of some people is that they do not do what they should do, which is to check their sandals when entering the mosque. You find a man entering the mosque with his sandals, and they are contaminated with filth, and perhaps with something ritually impure. He walks with them in the mosque and contaminates the mosque.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : This is contrary to what is prescribed. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded a person, when he comes to the mosque, to look at his sandals. If he sees filth on them, he should rub them with earth until it is removed; otherwise, he enters with them and prays in them.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : The important point is that one should not criticize the one who prays in his sandals; rather, he should be praised and thanked. May Allah reward you, except if that leads to harm, such as the ignorant people following his example, who do not give the mosque its due and who enter in their sandals in the manner we described earlier.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : In that case, what is preferred may become less than what is less preferred for him.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The Shaykh : A man’s prayer while wearing sandals is better than his prayer when he is not wearing sandals. That is, it is better for a person to keep his sandals on and pray in them if he is already wearing them, because that is the guidance of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). It is established in "the two Sahihs" from Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that he was asked: "Did the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) pray in his sandals?" He said: "Yes, he used to pray in his sandals." And because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded prayer in sandals, saying:
Act differently from the Jews, for they do not pray in their sandals
خالفوا اليهود فإنهم لا يصلون في نعالهمThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : This is contrary to what is prescribed. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded a person, when he comes to the mosque, to look at his sandals. If he sees filth on them, he should rub them with earth until it is removed; otherwise, he enters with them and prays in them.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : The important point is that one should not criticize the one who prays in his sandals; rather, he should be praised and thanked. May Allah reward you, except if that leads to harm, such as the ignorant people following his example, who do not give the mosque its due and who enter in their sandals in the manner we described earlier.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : In that case, what is preferred may become less than what is less preferred for him.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.