Wiping over socks

[Nasr]

If I recall correctly, the hanafi opinion on wiping water over cotton socks is that it is not permissible. But if I recall correctly, the Shafi opinion allows it. I also read that it's recommended one doesn't pick and choose a ruling of another madhab which is contrary to their own madhab, unless the matter in question causes them undue hardship. At my work place (or most UK workplaces for that matter)... washing the feet can be quite turmoil filled.

Would that be sufficient reason to opt to wipe over socks, rather than do the full washing of the feet?

Jzk.

[Nasr]

I also read the criteria to what the imams used to deduce that cotton socks weren't acceptable. The fact that I'm wearing (leather) shoes over my cotton socks seems to loosely fit the criteria they set (can walk X distance without the shoe i.e. sock deteriorating, among the others). On that basis, can I just wipe over my shoes? :S (or does it fall outside the fact that it's more than 'minor pollution'?)

[Abdul_Wali]

When I go to a public restroom at rest stops, I merely take my socks off and wash them without lifting them into the sink by wiping water on both feet once. And then I clean the water that fell on the floor. I also try to show adab and respect to non muslims by letting them use the faucet first or even if I'm in the middle of wudu letting them cut ahead of me and quickly wash up. If anything, they might ask you why you are washing your feet which gives you the opportunity to give them a glimpse of Islam. Who knows, maybe Allah SWT can give you tawfiq and through that conversation that person will accept Islam.

disclaimer: I'm no Alim so please don't take my response as an answer to your question. I saw this was posted in the General Forums so I merely gave my suggestion on how to deal with this issue. Forgive me if this response did not benefit you or is incorrect.

[Nasr]

I also read the criteria to what the imams used to deduce that cotton socks weren't acceptable. The fact that I'm wearing (leather) shoes over my cotton socks seems to loosely fit the criteria they set (can walk X distance without the shoe i.e. sock deteriorating, among the others). On that basis, can I just wipe over my shoes? :S (or does it fall outside the fact that it's more than 'minor pollution'?)

Or the combination of socks and leather shoes meeting the required criteria? (but just wiping over the socks during wudhu?)

[Abdul_Wali]

Do you actually wash your feet or just wipe over them? Becasue if they are not actually washed your wudhu is incomplete.

I should have been more specific. I basically take a handful of water or so and 'dump' it on my foot then wipe that water all over my foot. For good measure, I might take another handful of water to 'dump' on the foot again. Does that method fulfill the fardh of washing the foot?

[Sulaiman84]

When I go to a public restroom at rest stops, I merely take my socks off and wash them without lifting them into the sink by wiping water on both feet once. And then I clean the water that fell on the floor. I also try to show adab and respect to non muslims by letting them use the faucet first or even if I'm in the middle of wudu letting them cut ahead of me and quickly wash up. If anything, they might ask you why you are washing your feet which gives you the opportunity to give them a glimpse of Islam. Who knows, maybe Allah SWT can give you tawfiq and through that conversation that person will accept Islam.

disclaimer: I'm no Alim so please don't take my response as an answer to your question. I saw this was posted in the General Forums so I merely gave my suggestion on how to deal with this issue. Forgive me if this response did not benefit you or is incorrect.

For good da'wah, if there's non muslims in the restroom I just wash my feet close to the ground by cupping water in my hands, then clean up the water after I'm done. I only do masaah if I have khuffs, which is hardly ever because of the weather. They think you're takin a bath when your wash your limbs lol

For some reason they think it's dirty to put your feet inside the sink while I'm thinkin a practicing muslims feet are cleaner then their hands.

Got caught many times with my feet in the sink. The look of shock on their faces.......priceless

[Abdul_Wali]

As long as your doing more than ' wiping' and every part of the prescribed area is 'washed', paying special attention to the heels, which are often neglected and can sometimes be difficult to wash if you have cracked skin etc. Water needs to drip off the limb, otherwise it is just classed as 'wiping' rather than 'washing'.

Jazakallah Khair I will watch out for that next time.

[umar_italy]

As long as your doing more than ' wiping' and every part of the prescribed area is 'washed', paying special attention to the heels, which are often neglected and can sometimes be difficult to wash if you have cracked skin etc. Water needs to drip off the limb, otherwise it is just classed as 'wiping' rather than 'washing'.

I remember having read that there must be at least something like three drops of water dripping from one's limb to be considered "washed", do you (or anyone else) know anything more about it?

P.S.: Sister if you are an 'alimah I suggest you to get in touch with the admins and tell them, so that they can put the "Scholar" tag under your name: this will be far more useful for people who read your answer to acknowledge them as "more valuable" than a simple layman answer.

[HidayatFarma]

If I recall correctly, the hanafi opinion on wiping water over cotton socks is that it is not permissible. But if I recall correctly, the Shafi opinion allows it. I also read that it's recommended one doesn't pick and choose a ruling of another madhab which is contrary to their own madhab, unless the matter in question causes them undue hardship. At my work place (or most UK workplaces for that matter)... washing the feet can be quite turmoil filled.

Would that be sufficient reason to opt to wipe over socks, rather than do the full washing of the feet?

Jzk.

Woah woah, wait a minute. I'm a Shaafi here, and as far as I know, the Shaafi opinion is even more strict than the Hanafi when it comes to masah on socks. In other words, masah on cotton socks is not allowed according to the Shafi madhab either. I'm not an Alim, and I would appreciate if an Alim could clarify the matter, but I'm looking at this book here written by the Majlisul Ulema of SA, on this very topic of masah on socks, and it lists the opinion of each Imam. According to all four madhahib, masah on cotton socks would not be allowed (as written in this book by trusted Ulema). I also remember seeing that ruling in Umdat-us-Salik (Revelations of the Traveller), a Shaafi book.

It's interesting how some people instantly try to justify some of their actions by associating the ruling with another Imam..even when the Imam made no such ruling. This is not the first time I've experienced this.

Again, I would appreciate a scholar's word here...

[verdana]

In Hanafi madhhab making mash over socks is not valid; because the path trough water easily and you can't walk with bare socks for a required amount of distance. But making mashf over shoes that which cover your ankles is allowed. However, to do this you should have sound wudhu before putting your shoes on.

So, if you are not able to wash your feet properly for any reason, then you may want to get shoes like this