Salah (ٱلصَّلَاةُ), which translates to “Prayer”, is one of the five pillars of Islam. Making Wudu (الوضوء) is compulsory before performing Salah (prayer). Hence, the prayer performed without wudu is invalid. That shows how important wudu is in Islamic teachings. Wudu is a complete process of ritual purification, which involves cleansing of different parts of the body, such as the face, hands, and feet, by washing them. Washing these parts of the body is an essential part of wudu.
Islam, being a religion of nature, provides concession and relaxation in the performance of various rituals and worship, wherever possible. A good example of such a relaxation is the exemption from fasting during the month of Ramadan for those who are traveling or are sick. Similarly, washing of feet during wudu is also exempted in some cases; alternating it with wiping over the socks, commonly known as “Masah”, in Islamic terminology. The Islamic Jurisprudence, as derived from the Quran, Hadith, and Sunnah, provides detailed guidelines and rulings on this important matter, covering all its aspects.
Performing Wudu (Ablution)
The question, whether one can perform Salah without socks after doing wudu with socks on, is carefully discussed by scholars. In this context, we first need to understand what wudu actually means in Islam.
Wudu generally translates to “ablution.” However, it is often referred to as “half ablution,” the Islamic ritual bath, “ghusl,” being the “complete ablution.” Wudu is an Islamic way of attaining purity, before the performance of various religious obligations like recitation of the Quran and offering Prayers and so on. The compulsion of making wudu before standing up for prayer is explicitly mentioned in the 6th verse of Surah Al-Ma’ida.
According to this verse, washing face, hands, and forearms up to elbows is an essential part of wudu, alongside “wiping” the head and “washing” feet. Here, the difference between washing and wiping is noticeable. Some parts require washing, while others can be wiped clean. The key point to note is that feet need washing, not just wiping.
Going further, the above-referred verse also provides a concession in the performance of wudu. In the absence of water, one can use clean, wholesome dust and pass it over the face and hands. This practice is commonly known as “tayammum” (تيمم) or “dry ritual purification” in Islamic terminology. It means a concession or relaxation in the performance of wudu is simultaneously allowed through this Quranic verse.
Wiping Over Socks (Masah) is Allowed in Islam
Wiping over the socks, instead of washing the feet, is permissible in Islam, as evident from Sunnah and Hadith. The concept is known as “Masah” (مسح) in the Islamic religious terminology. It means that one can perform wudu without removing socks, just by wiping over them. Here, a specific type of socks is referred to, for which in Arabic the word “Khuff” (خُفَِّ) is used. These are the socks made up of leather or any other thick material that covers the foot and ankle. In Islamic teachings, Masah is allowed only on Khuffs, as mentioned in various Hadiths, such as Hadith 206 of Sahih Al-Bukhari.
Translation
Once I was in the company of the Prophet (ﷺ) on a journey and I dashed to take off his Khuffs (socks made from thick fabric or leather). He ordered me to leave them as he had put them after performing ablution. So he passed wet hands over them.
The content of the above Hadith clarifies that wiping over the Khuffs (leather socks) is permissible only when they are put on after performing ablution. That means, if one has performed ablution without wearing socks (implying that they had washed their feet), they can refresh their wudu by performing Masah.
Specific Conditions and Situations Where Masah is Permissible
The concession of Masah is restricted; it is only available under special circumstances, as clearly defined in all four Islamic schools of thought, Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali, in the light of Hadith and Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ.
Type of Socks Permissible for Masah
Wiping over socks is permissible for the socks made up of thick and waterproof leather, specifically mentioned in Hadiths, as Khuffs. All four schools of thought agree on this type of socks for the purpose of Masah.
Hanafi, Hanbali, and Shafi’i scholars also agree that regular socks (other than Khuffs) made up of thick and waterproof material also qualify for Masah, whereas according to Maliki jurisprudence, only leather socks can be used for the purpose of Masah.
Other conditions for a sock to qualify for the purpose of Masah include:
- The socks must cover the whole foot up to the ankle. This is the part of the body that needs to be washed during wudu. Hence, it is important that the sock covers this entire area.
- The socks must be clean and free from any major impurity.
- The socks have to be thick enough to prevent water from seeping in. It means if we drop water over this sock, it should not pass through it, and the skin of the foot and ankle remains dry.
Timings of Putting on the Socks
Wiping over the socks for the performance of wudu is only allowed in Islam when the socks were worn after the performance of complete regular wudu. It means, if one has performed a regular wudu by washing the feet up to the ankle and then wearing the socks, they can wipe over them (Masah) the next time they need to perform wudu. If feet were not washed before wearing socks, wudu will be invalid.
The time limit for the socks to qualify for wiping over is also important:
- Travelers are allowed to do Masah for 72 hours, which means three days and nights.
- For a non-traveler, the time limit is restricted to 24 hours, i.e., one day and night.
- The socks must not be removed during these time limits. If socks are removed at any stage, you will be required to wash your feet for the next wudu.
IMPORTANT
- If washing the feet is not possible due to health conditions or injuries, you can wipe over socks.
- In the event of minor impurities, such as sleeping, passing urine or stool, and passing air, wiping over socks can be done.
Can I pray Salah Without Socks After Doing Wudu with Socks On?
This is a common question often raised, whether a person can pray salah without socks when wudu was performed with socks on. After going through the details about the permissibility of wiping over the socks, as discussed above, one can easily understand that wudu will become invalid in this case.
According to the majority of the scholars:
- If wudu was performed with socks on, it would break when the socks are removed.
- The concession of wiping over the socks is subject to the condition that the socks remain on the feet. If they are removed, the concession breaks, hence completely new wudu would become compulsory, without socks.
- If socks are torn, wudu will become invalid.
However, the Maliki jurisprudence holds that wudu will remain intact even after removing socks. Accordingly, the simple answer to this important question is:
Praying without socks, after performing wudu with socks on, is not allowed.
Hence, you need to ensure that after performing wudu with socks on, keep them on to maintain the validity of wudu. You can perform salah with socks on, under this situation. If you remove socks after performing wudu with socks on, you cannot perform Salah until you wash your feet afresh.
Conclusion
Islam focuses on purity, both in general and especially when worshipping, such as reading the Quran or performing Prayer. Wudu is the key to ritual purity, which has been made compulsory while preparing yourself for worship. On the other hand, Islam is also known for its generosity, especially in the performance of various religious obligations. It allows exemptions and concessions so as to provide comfort and ease.
Such concessions are also allowed in the performance of wudu under certain circumstances, with specific conditions. Wiping over the socks, instead of washing the feet, is one of these concessions. Wudu can be performed and remains intact for a certain period when Masah (wiping over the socks) is done. However, it is subject to the condition that before putting on socks, feet are washed up to the ankle area. If the socks are later on removed, the concession breaks and, in that case, you will have to perform wudu afresh, including washing your feet. Without doing that, you cannot perform salah.
