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The Impermissibility of Wiping Over Low-Cut Ankle Socks

Shaykh Mūsá Richardson

An important clarification on wiping over ankle socks, specifically the ‘low-cut’ ankle-sock which only covers the feet or part of the ankle bone but not the entire ankle bone.

…And it is a condition (for the validity of wiping over the footwear) that the footwear cover the foot. He may not wipe over footwear that is not sufficiently covering what he is required to wash (i.e. the entire foot, top and bottom, including the ankles), like footwear that is below the ankle, or footwear that is big enough, but does not properly cover the foot because it is too thin, like a thin nylon sock. None of these things may be wiped over since they do not adequately cover (the foot)…

Shaykh Mūsá Richardson

In the Name of Allāh, the Most Merciful…

An honored guest reminded me today that our brothers need to be clear on the issue of ankle socks and the ruling on wiping over them for wuḍūʿ since it is an issue that many people may not know about.

Ankle socks: very short socks usually worn with low-top sports shoes, they usually do not cover the ankle.

Ankle socks that do not cover the ankle bone entirely do not fit the criteria of a “khuff”, and thus it is not permissible to wipe over them for wuḍūʿ.  Thus, wiping over ankle socks (that do not cover the ankle) is INVALID, and the wuḍūʿ is incomplete and thus invalid as well.

Our shaykh, Dr. Ṣāliḥ al-Fawzān (may Allāh preserve him) said:

“…And it is a condition (for the validity of wiping over the footwear) that the footwear covers the foot.  He may not wipe over footwear that is not sufficiently covering what he is required to wash (i.e. the entire foot, top and bottom, including the ankles), like footwear that is below the ankle, or footwear that is big enough but does not properly cover the foot because it is too thin, like a thin nylon sock. None of these things may be wiped over since they do not adequately cover (the foot)…” [1]

Endnotes:

[1]  al-Mulakh-khas al-Fiqhee (1/42)
[2] Original source: ANKLE SOCKS: You may not wipe over ankle socks no matter what material they are made of !

Compiled and translated by Shaykh Mūsá Richardson 

Published: September 8, 2009
Edited: July 27, 2022

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