Questions Regarding Wiping Over Khuffs (Leather Socks)


Hanafi Fiqh

Answered by Sidi Tabraze Azam

Question: I have a few questions about the use of khuffs:

1.If one makes wudu and puts on khuffs and then wishes to renew their wudu (having not nullified their original wudu), can you wipe the khuffs or do you have to wash the feet?

2.If you still have your original wudu can you take off your khuffs and put them back without having to wash or wipe the feet (maybe need to scratch the foot itself briefly)?

3.Can you wipe khuffs if you have not yet nullified your wudu or is it a condition to wipe the khuffs that one has already broken the original wudu once?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I hope you are in the best of health and spirits insha’Allah.

[1] Even if one did not nullify one’s ritual ablution (wudu), it would be permitted to wipe over one’s footgear (khuffs), as long as one wore them in a state of ritual ablution (wudu).

[2] It would be permitted to remove one’s footgear (khuffs) and then put them on again, as long as one puts them on in a state of ritual ablution (wudu).

Such that if Ahmad performs the ritual ablution (wudu) at 2pm; at 2.15pm, he puts on his footgear (khuffs); at 2.30pm, he removes his footgear (for some reason); and at 2.45pm, he nullifies his ritual ablution:

[i] It is a condition for the validity of wiping on his footgear (khuffs) that he wears the footgear in a state of complete ritual ablution (wudu); therefore, he would have to perform his ritual ablution (wudu) again before wearing his footgear (khuffs);

[ii] However, if he did not nullify his ritual ablution (wudu) at 2.45pm, it would be permitted to put them on again right away.

[3] It is not a condition for the validity of wiping over one’s footgear (khuffs) that one have previously nullified one’s ritual ablution (wudu).

[Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah; `Ala al-DIn Abidin, al-Hadiyya al-`Ala’iyya]

And Allah knows best.

Wassalaam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani