Wiping of the Shoes
Shaykh Muhammad Naasir Ad-Deen Al-Albaanee

As for wiping over the shoes, when performing ablution, then it has become popular amongst the contemporary scholars to say that it is not permissible to wipe over them. We do not know of any evidence to support that claim, other than what has been stated by al-Bayhaqee in his Sunnah: "The principle is the obligation for washing the feet, unless there is an established text from the Sunnah that specifies it or a consensus in which there is no differing. It does not include the wiping over the shoes or the socks, any of the two, and Allah knows best." [1]

This is what he has stated. It is well known, and it is unfortunate that it indicates an unawareness of the previously mentioned ahaadeeth in this treatise[2] regarding the establishment of wiping over the socks and the shoes. The chains of narration regarding some of them are authentic, as has been clarified previously. Due to this, At-Turkmanee, the Hanafee commented on the statement of al-Bayhaqee, saying: "This is incorrect , for it has preceded that At-Tirmithee has authenticated the (hadeeth of) wiping over the socks and the shoes, and declared it hasan from the hadeeth of Muzail from Al-Mugheerah. He also declared the hadeeth of Adh-Dhahhaak from Aboo Musa to be hasan. Also, Ibn Hibbaan has verified wiping over the shoes by authenticating the hadeeth of 'Aws. Similarly, Ibn Khuzaymah[3] has authenticated the hadeeth of Ibn 'Umar regarding wiping over shoes. What Al-Bayhaqee mentioned from the hadeeth of Zayd Bin Al-Hibaab from Ath-Thawree (meaning with the chain of narration going to Ibn 'Umar and it has preceded) regarding the wiping over the shoes, is a good hadeeth. Ibn Al-Qataan has also authenticated it from Ibn 'umar."[4]

I say that once you have come to know this, it is not permissible to hesitate in accepting this allowance. This is especially so after the hadeeths concerning it, have been established. This is since, as the author (Al-Qaasimee) has stated in what has been mentioned previously: "The ahadeeth concerning it are authentic, thus there is no recourse other than to hear and obey."

This is especially the case after knowing that the Sahaabah acted in accordance to it. Foremost amongst them, was the rightly guided Khaleefah 'Ali Ibn Abee Taalib. Furthermore, it is the view that was held by some of the scholars from the pious predecessors.

Thus, Ibn Hazm said: "Issue: So if the footwear (khuff) are cut so that they fall beneath the ankles, then wiping over them is permissible. This is the opinion of Al-Awzaa'ee and it has been reported on him that he said: 'The muhrim may wipe over his shoes that come beneath the ankles..' Others have stated: 'He may not wipe over them unless they go over the ankles.'"[5]

[1]Sunan al-Bayhaqee (1/288)

[2]Translator's Note: The treatise he is referring to is al-Mas-h 'alaa al-Jawrabain (Wiping over the socks) by the great scholar of Shaam Jamaal Ad-Deen Al-Qaasimee. As mentioned before, this treatise of Shaykh Al-Albaanee comes directly after his checking of Al-Qaasimee's book. Al-Albaanee included this last section to the book in order to clarify common misunderstandings present today, and to compliment the book.Thus, there will be many references made to this book, such as "as has been stated previously". This means previously in the book al-mas-h 'alaa al jawrabayn.

[3]See Saheeh Ibn Khuzaymah (pg 100)

[4]Al-Jawhar An-Naqee (1/288)

[5]Al-Muhallaa (2/103)

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