The rulings of masah over cotton socks

CategoriesTaharah [479]

 Fatwa ID: 02705

Answered by: Moulana Tahsin Alam

Question:

Asalamualaikum

I wear cotton socks at college in the USA.

It is very difficult to make wudu in the public toilet since the taps are automated motion censored.

Also, sometimes I don't get enough time to remove shoes and make wudu and dry my feet and come out in a public toilet.

In this situation, is masah over socks permitted, if I wear clean socks, after making wudu?
 

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Answer:

Walaikumusalam

The Ḥanafī mazhab only permits wiping over thick socks, the definition of which is:

  1. Non-transparent (can’t see the foot under the sock when worn).
  2. Walking in them for three miles without the socks tearing is possible.
  3. Able to stand upright without external help (being tied with string etc.)once worn.
  4. Water does not seep through them.[1]

If your cotton socks are of such standards, then they will be permissible for masah. If not, we would request you to purchase the khufayn (leather socks) or waterproof socks such as ‘Sealskinz’ and ‘Gortex’ which are readily available.

 

Only Allah knows best

Written by Moulana Tahsin Alam

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

 

 

.1 pg. 46.vlBadāiʿ al-Sanāiʿ,

Al-Fiqh al-Islāmi, vl. 1 pg.498.

[1]Al-Hidāyah, vl. 1 pg. 107.

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

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