Wiping Over Normal Socks (cotton, wool etc.)

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It says in Mawsoo’ah al-Fiqhiyyah (Summarised from 39/282-283):

Issue: Wiping Over Normal Socks (cotton, wool etc.)

The majority of the scholars are of the view that wiping over normal socks is permitted in two cases:

a)   That the socks cover your foot properly up to the ankles and that they are like shoes in their use (i.e. one walks in them).

b)   That the skin cannot be seen from above them and that the water doesn’t seep through them (i.e. that they are thick enough).

Imaam Ahmad and Aboo Haneefah (i.e. they differed slightly to the majority above) were of the view that wiping over normal socks is permissible on two conditions:

a)   No part of the foot can be seen.

b)   One is able to walk in them.

The Hanbalees didn’t have the place the condition that socks must be like shoes in their use. The evidence for this is the Hadeeth of Mughayrah bin Shu’bah [May Allaah be Pleased with him] who said, “Verily the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] wiped over his shoes and socks.”

This Hadeeth is proof that shoes and socks are two different things. They also deducted from this that wiping over normal socks was the practice of the Companions [May Allaah be Pleased with them] and none of them differed, thus there being Ijmaa (i.e. a consensus which means that is becomes binding legislative proof) on the issue.