Usage of the leather socks whilst travelling

Nasihah (Advice): The duration for making Masah on the leather socks

Sayyiduna Ali radiyallahu anhu reported that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) permitted wiping over leather socks for three days and nights for the traveller and one day and night for the resident. [Sahih Muslim]

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Question and Answer:

1. I was travelling and I stopped half way at a garage to make Wudhu and perform Salaah. I had my leather socks on from the Morning which I had made Masah on already. Whilst I was making Wudhu, I mistakenly removed one of my leather socks and washed my foot. I didn’t know what to do so I removed both socks, washed my feet and then performed Salaah. Was this correct?

(Question published as received)

1. The duration permitted for a traveller (Musaafir) to make Masah (wipe) over leather socks is 3 days and 3 nights (72 hours), and for a non-traveller (Muqeem), 1 day and 1 night (24 hours).

If, after making Masah over leather socks, the person removes one or both socks, the following rules apply:

1. The Masah over the socks breaks by removing even one sock.
2. If this happens while the person was in the state of Wudhu, then only the Masah over the socks breaks, and the rest of the Wudhu is intact. Therefore, washing both feet will suffice for completing the Wudhu. The person can put on the leather socks thereafter.
3. If this happens when the person is not in the state of Wudhu, then it will be necessary to renew the entire Wudhu, including the washing of the feet.

Accordingly, in the enquired case, it was correct for you to remove the other sock and wash both feet to perform Salaah. (Badaai’ 1/12)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

Mufti Muhammed Hamza Farooqui

Mufti Taahir Hansa

(The answer hereby given is specifically based on the question asked and should be read together with the question asked. Islamic rulings on this Q&A newsletter are answered in accordance to the Hanafi Fiqh unless otherwise stated.) 

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