Is it permissible to apply masah over socks?
Islamic scholars reached a consensus that applying masah over khuffs made from stiff and durable substances such as leather and similar materials and worn on feet in the state of ablution, is a sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) (Bukhari, Wudu 35, 48; Muslim, Taharah, 72, 73; Ahmad ibn Hanbal, al-Musnad, I, 248, 249). However, there are some different views on applying masah over socks. This conflict results primarily from the disagreements about the authenticity and strength of the narratives regarding Prophet Muhammad’s (saw) applying masah over socks and shoes. Moreover, different opinions were put forward about the features of the socks over which Prophet Muhammad (saw) applied masah (Ibn Rushd, Bidayah, I, 19-20).
According to the opinion preferred by the Hanafi school, it is permissible to wipe over the socks with these characteristics:
- a) They should be durable enough to walk around 5 km. (at least one league) or more with a normal walking while they are worn,
- b) They should be stiff and thick enough to stand without tying shoelaces after being worn,
- c) They should cover feet with anklebones,
- d) They should not pass water through themselves instantly by absorbing water,
- e) They should be thick enough to not show inside.
- f) Neither of the khuffs should have a hole, tear, and rip three times wider than the little toe (Marghinani, al-Hidayah, I, 201-202; Mehmed Zihni, Ni‘met-i Islam, p. 132, 133).
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Source: Presidency Of Religious Affairs The Turkey, High Board of Religious Affairs FATWAS
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