Can I Pray Behind an Imam Who Wipes Over Normal Socks?
Question:
Assalamu’ alaykum.
Alhamdullilah, my school has facilities for praying, but the teacher who leads the Friday prayer performs wudu by wiping water over normal socks. He also urges other brothers to do the same if it is convenient for them. What is the best thing to do in this situation?
Answer:
Wa ‘alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh wa barakatuh.
I pray you are well.
You should keep praying behind him and assume everyone’s prayers are valid.
Is Wiping Over Socks Valid?
There is much scholarly discussion on this topic. The fuqaha have mentioned many conditions that footgear must fulfill for it to be valid to wipe on.
Many of the conditions – such as it should not be made of glass or that it should remain on foot without being tied to it – were essentially there to clarify one main condition: can someone walk in them for three or more miles without it coming off or getting tears which exceed the excused amount.
They did not have access to the socks we have today. They are much more durable and can fulfill the above conditions. Treat the matter as a valid difference of opinion and continue to attend the Friday prayer there. (Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al Muhtar)
Avoid Argumentation
It’s commendable that you sought guidance on the matter. Usually, matters like this lead to argumentation, which is pointless in matters of valid scholarly difference.
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, ”I am the guarantor of a house in the outskirts of the Garden for whoever leaves arguing – even if he is right; and for a house in the middle of the Garden who whoever stops lying – even in jest, and for a house in the highest part of the Garden for whoever beautifies his character.” (Abu Dawud)
May Allah bless you with the best of both worlds.
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History, he moved to Damascus in 2007, where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital. He was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.
