Can I Wipe Over My Socks During Wudu?

Question

I wear socks daily and find it difficult to remove them for every wudu, especially at work. Is it permissible to wipe over socks instead of washing the feet?

Answer

Yes, it is permissible to wipe over socks (khuffayn) during wudu, but specific conditions must be met:

Conditions for Wiping Over Socks:

The socks must be worn in a state of complete purity (wudu)
- You must have valid wudu when you first put the socks on
The socks must cover the ankles
- They should cover the area that must be washed in wudu
Time limit:
- Resident: 1 day and 1 night (24 hours)
- Traveler: 3 days and 3 nights (72 hours)
- The time starts from when you first made wudu after wearing the socks
The socks should be thick enough to:
- Walk in them reasonably
- Stay on the feet without tying

Evidence

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

"Let the traveler wipe for three days and three nights, and the resident for one day and one night."

Source: Sahih Muslim, Book of Purification, Hadith #276, narrated by Shuraih ibn Hani

Mughirah ibn Shu'bah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported:

"I was with the Prophet ﷺ on a journey, and I bent down to take off his khuffayn (leather socks), but he said: 'Leave them, for I put them on when I was in a state of purity.' So he wiped over them."

Source: Sahih al-Bukhari #206 and Sahih Muslim #274

How to Wipe:

Use wet hands to wipe over the top of the socks once
Pass your fingers from the toes toward the shin
No need to wipe the bottom or sides
This replaces washing the feet in wudu

When You Must Remove and Wash:

When the time limit expires (24 or 72 hours)
After ghusl (ritual bath) becomes obligatory
When the socks come off

Modern Application:

This ruling applies to regular cotton or synthetic socks worn today, according to the majority of contemporary scholars, as long as they meet the conditions above.

Note: This is a mercy and ease from Allah, especially beneficial for those at work, school, or in cold climates.

May Allah make worship easy for us and accept our acts of purification.