Can I wipe over socks in wudūʾ? What are the different madhhab opinions and their evidences?

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The opinions of the four major Sunni madhāhib (schools of jurisprudence) regarding wiping over socks (المسح على الجوارب) in wudu, including their evidences and conditions.

🔹 General Overview

“Wiping over the socks” (al-masḥ ʿala al-jawrabayn) is a concession (rukhṣah) in wudū’, where instead of washing the feet, one may wipe over a covering worn on the feet, under certain conditions. It is based on numerous hadiths of the Prophet ﷺ wiping over khuffayn (leather socks).

The issue arises: can this apply to non-leather socks? That’s where the disagreement lies.

✅ 1. Ḥanafī Madhhab

Position:

  • Permissible to wipe only over socks that are similar to khuffayn: thick, waterproof, and suitable for walking without shoes.
  • Normal cotton or thin socks: not permissible.

Conditions for wiping:

  • Socks must:
    1. Cover the area of the foot that must be washed in wudū’.
    2. Be thick enough to walk in 3 miles without tearing.
    3. Stay up without being tied.
    4. Not show skin.

Evidence:

  • Qiyas (analogy) with the khuffayn mentioned in hadith.
  • Hadith of al-Mughīrah ibn Shuʿbah: “I was with the Prophet ﷺ. I went to remove his khuffayn, and he said, ‘Leave them, for I put them on while I was pure.’ Then he wiped over them.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Muslim)
  • They argue only khuff-like socks share this ruling.

✅ 2. Mālikī Madhhab

Position:

  • Generally does not allow wiping over socks.
  • Only allows wiping over khuffayn (leather footwear) in case of necessity (cold, illness, etc.).

Evidence:

  • Stick to the literal reading of Quran (Surah al-Mā’idah 5:6) and prefer washing the feet.
  • Acknowledge hadith on wiping over khuffayn, but restrict its scope due to strength of washing in Qur’an.
  • Weak acceptance of non-leather socks.

✅ 3. Shāfiʿī Madhhab

Position:

  • Permissible to wipe only over khuffayn.
  • Non-leather socks: not permissible to wipe over.
  • Exception: socks made of thick material that fulfills same function as khuffayn may be allowed by some late Shāfiʿīs.

Conditions:

  • Must be:
    1. Durable for walking.
    2. Water-resistant.
    3. Not transparent.

Evidence:

  • Accept hadiths on wiping over khuffayn but apply them only to leather or khuff-like coverings.

✅ 4. Ḥanbalī Madhhab

Position:

  • Most lenient: wiping over any socks, even non-leather, as long as:
    • They cover the foot fully.
    • They stay up by themselves.

Evidence:

  • Hadiths of wiping over socks (جوارب), such as:
    • Thawbān (RA): “The Prophet ﷺ sent a military expedition and he commanded them to wipe over the socks.” (Abu Dawud, authenticated by al-Albānī)
    • Al-Mughīrah ibn Shuʿbah: as above.
  • Hadiths mention “jawrabayn”, not just “khuffayn”, supporting wiping over socks too.

✅ Conclusion

In light of the above discussion, it is clear that the issue of wiping over socks in wudū’ is one where the four madhāhib have differed based on their understanding of the evidences. While the Ḥanafī, Mālikī, and Shāfiʿī madhāhib maintain more restrictive views—requiring that socks resemble khuffayn or even rejecting wiping over anything other than leather footwear—the Ḥanbalī madhhab and many modern scholars take a more lenient stance, permitting wiping over socks made of fabric, as long as they cover the foot and remain in place.

In this case we adopt the lenient position in cases of hardship, consistent with the principle in Islamic law that:

“Hardship brings about ease” (al-mashaqqah tajlib al-taysīr).

When the weather is cold, or when removing socks causes discomfort or difficulty—such as in work environments, during travel, or in public spaces—the opinion that allows wiping over regular socks provides a necessary and valid concession.

Based on this, and out of consideration for people’s circumstances, wiping over socks that cover the foot and stay up, even if they are not leather or extremely thick is allowed when there is a need. 

🕰 Duration of Wiping

All schools agree on the time limits:

  • Resident: 1 day and 1 night (24 hours).
  • Traveller: 3 days and nights (72 hours).
  • Time starts from the first wiping, not from wearing.

💧 Wiping Method

  • Use wet hands, not dripping.
  • Wipe over top of the sock, not underneath.
  • Use three fingers at minimum.

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