Fathwa, - Muslim jurists’ opinions on wiping over torn leather socks

Question
I was wearing socks believing that they covered all my feet. I was
surprised, after finishing prayer, to find that there was a hole in my
sock thesize of a fingerprint. My question is, were those prayers
valid? Should I make up for them ?
May Allaah reward you .
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify
that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad
, is His Slave and Messenger.
If this hole was above theankle, then there is no harm done; for it is
not on the area that should be washed during ablution. However, if
this hole was on the ankle or below it, then it is within the area of
ablution. Jurists' held different opinions on whether or not to wipe
over the socks in this case.
Imaam Ahmad 's school ofFiqh ruled that it is impermissible as they
would not cover the whole foot, and this is one of the opinions of
Imaam Ash-Shafi'i as well.This is because what is uncovered should be
washed and what is covered should be wipedover, and if these two
events combine, then washing takes precedence as if the feet became
fully uncovered.
Abu Haneefah 's school ofFiqh ruled that if the tear reaches the size
of three fingers, then it is impermissible to wipe over them during
ablution, and if it were less than that, it is permissible.
Imaam Maalik 's school of Fiqh ruled that if the holeis the third of
the size of the socks, then it is impermissible to wipe over them
during ablution, and if it were less than that, it is permissible.
The scholars who adopted this opinion relied on the generality of the
narrations on wiping over the leather socks; they did not specify that
leather socks should be free from any kind of tears or holes. As long
as one can walk with the leather socks, then they are just like
thegood ones. Besides most of the late Arabs' leather socks were torn,
and the Prophet , commanded the Companions to wipe over them without
givingany details. Thus, the ruling is applied to the people's
commonly worn leather socks at that time,most of which were
torn.Additionally, if these leather socks were prohibited for one in
the state of Ihraam to wear them, and wearing them entails expiation,
then it is permissible to wipe over them in ablution just like those
that are free of tears.
Hence, it is permissible towipe over torn leather socks as long as the
tears are small, based on the previously-mentioned evidence.
Socks take the same ruling as leather socks; accordingly, this tear,
which is the size of a fingerprint, is considereda small tear and it
is permissible to wipe over the socks. Therefore, your ablution was
valid and you do not have to make up for those prayers.
Allaah Knows best. - - ▓███▓ Translator:->
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