Ibn Bazz: Duration of wiping over the socks

Duration of wiping over the socks 

Q: Is it permissible for a resident to take off the socks after offering the Five Obligatory Daily Prayers before the completion of the day? Is it permissible to change them when they become dirty before completing the Five Obligatory Daily Prayers and continue wiping over the new­ worn ones? Is it permissible for me to take them off after I finish offering the Five Obligatory Daily Prayers when going to sleep from `Isha' (Night) Prayer to Fajr (Dawn) Prayer? Please, advise. May Allah grant you success! 

A : It is permissible for a resident to wipe over the socks for a day and a night while a traveler is permitted to do so for three days and nights. It was authentically reported on the authority of `Aly (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: A resident may wipe (over the socks) for one day and night and a traveler may (do the same) for three days and nights. There are many Hadith that stress the same meaning. 

The duration of wiping begins after nullifying Wudu' (ablution), which takes place after wearing the socks. For example, if a person performs Wudu' for the Zhuhr (Noon) Prayer and puts on their socks, and then their Wudu' is nullified, the duration of wiping over the socks in this case starts from the time they perform Wudu' for the `Asr (Afternoon) Prayer of this day until the time 

( Part No : 10, Page No: 109) 

of the Zhuhr Prayer of the following day. When it is time for the `Asr Prayer of the next day, they should take them off to wash their feet. It is permissible for them to wipe over them again for a day and night. However, if a person performs Wudu’ to offer the Zhuhr Prayer and then puts on their socks and wipes over them at the times of `Asr, Maghrib (Sunset), and `Isha' Prayers, then they take them off when going to sleep, they should wash their feet when they wake up to offer the Fajr Prayer. They should not put on their socks again unless they perform Wudu’ first. They are permitted to wipe over them for a day and night and to take them off whenever they like. A person should not wipe over their socks unless they put them on after performing Wudu' and while they are in a state of Taharah (ritual purification). When the Prophet (peace be upon him) wanted to wipe over his Khuffs (leather socks), Al­Mughirah wanted to help him take them off, the Prophet told him: Leave them, for I have performed Wudu' before putting them on. (Agreed upon by Al­Bukhari and Muslim)It was authentically reported on the authority of Safwan ibn `Assal (may Allah be pleased with him): The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) instructed us that during a journey we need not take off our Khuffs (for washing the feet) up to three days and nights, except in case of Janabah (major ritual impurity related to sexual discharge). In other cases, such as sleeping, urination, and defecation (the wiping of wet hands over Khuffs will suffice)." 

Thus, it is permissible for a traveler to wipe over the socks for three days and nights, while a resident can wipe over them for a day and night. However, if a person is in a state of Janabah, they should take them off to perform Ghusl (ritual bath following major ritual impurity). It is permissible for a person to take their socks off whenever they like before the end of the prescribed period to change them or for any other reason. 

( Part No : 10, Page No: 110)