How Should I Purify Myself to Be Allowed to Pray?

Answered by Ustadh Sufyan Qufi

Question

1. Is it permissible to wash the body parts in wudu one time then put on the socks and wipe over the socks 24 hours when doing wudu the next time?
2. I also heard you can mix in wudu washing the hands three times, washing the face two times, and let’s say washing the feet one time, the only thing you must do one time is wiping over the head.
   Is this true and permissible to do so?

Answer

In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,

I pray this finds you in the best of states.

1. If you are not traveling and have performed a complete wudu in which you have washed your feet with water and covered your feet with thick socks up to your ankles you are allowed to wipe over those thick socks instead of washing your feet while performing wudu for 24 hours after breaking your complete wudu for the first time. After 24 hours your wudu won’t be valid unless you wash your feet with water and you are not allowed anymore to wipe over your thick socks.  If you are traveling you can wipe on your thick socks while performing wudu for 72 hours. [Shurunbulali, Nur al-Idah]

The reason for this is that a huge number of companions of the Prophet ( peace and blessings upon him) have narrated has wiped on his footgear (khuffs) while performing wudu and has allowed it. [Ibn al-Humam, Fath al-Qadir]

For example, it has been narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) has allowed us to wipe on the khuffs for three days and three nights for the traveler and one day and one night for the resident. [Muslim]

It is permitted to wipe over thick socks only if they fulfill the conditions of valid footgear (khuffs).

The most important of these are:

(1) the ability to walk 3.5 miles or so in them without tearing, and
(2) thickness such that water doesn’t penetrate through to the foot upon wiping with a dripping wet hand.

Many standard dress socks may not be sufficient, but hiking or trekking socks often can be.

2. To perform a valid wudu you need to wash your face, your arms up to the elbows, and your feet one time. You also need to wipe your head one time. [Shurunbulali, Nur al-Idah]

Allah, Most High, says: “O you who believe when you rise for the prayer wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, and wipe your heads and (wash) your feet up to the ankles. If you are in a state of major impurity, cleanse yourselves well (by taking a bath).” [Quran, 5:6]

Without these actions, your wudu won’t be valid and you won’t be allowed to pray.

It is an emphasized sunna to wash your face, your arms up to the elbows, and your feet three times. You will be rewarded for doing so and leaving this without excuse can be sinful. [Shurunbulali, Nur al-Idah]

It is not sunna to wipe your head more than one time. Thus we should avoid it.

And Allah knows best.

Wassalam,

[Ustadh] Sufyan Qufi
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani