Does taking off socks or expired wiping time invalidate wudu?

In a Nutshell: Removing socks after wiping over them does not invalidate your wudu. However, the permission to wipe over socks has a time limit - one day for residents and three days for travelers. Table of Contents Introduction Evidences Analysis: Does Taking Off Socks or Expired Wiping Time Invalidate Wudu? Misconceptions Objections Addressed FAQs about Wiping over Socks and Removing Socks Conclusion Introduction Wudu, the Islamic ritual washing, is a prerequisite for performing prayers and certain other ibadah (acts of worship). It ensures physical and spiritual cleanliness. For travelers on a journey, Allah (swt) provides concessions to ease their hardships. One such concession is the permission to wipe over clean socks (khuffayn) during wudu instead of washing the feet directly. This answer explores the permissibility of wiping over socks and clarifies whether taking them off or the expiry of the wiping period invalidates wudu. Evidences: Quranic Verses and Hadiths on Wiping over Socks The Quran emphasizes the importance of purification for prayer: ...And wash your faces and your forearms up to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet up to the ankles... (Quran 5:6) While this verse outlines the basic steps of wudu, hadiths provide specific details about wiping over socks. Masah al-khuffayn refers to wiping one's wet hands over clean and thick socks during wudu. This concession is based on specific hadiths from the Prophet (PBUH). In a narration about a travel concession, the Prophet (PBUH) allowed wiping over his leather socks for three days and nights without removing them, as long as they remained unbroken [Sahih Muslim, 246] Describing his own practice during travel, the Prophet (PBUH) wiped over his socks during wudu [Sahih Bukhari, 180] These hadiths establish the permissibility of wiping over socks while traveling and outline the validity period. Does Taking Off Socks or Expired Wiping Time Invalidate Wudu? Here, we delve into the core question: does taking off socks or the expiry of the wiping period break wudu? Taking Off Socks Does Not Invalidate Wudu: Focus on Wiping vs. Barrier:Wiping over socks is a permitted action during wudu, not a replacement for washing the feet themselves. The act of wiping cleans the outer surface of the socks, which serves as a barrier. Removing the socks after wiping doesn't negate the purification that already occurred on the socks' surface during wudu. Hadiths Support Continuity:Hadiths support the idea that wudu remains valid as long as the socks stay on. For instance, a narration from Ibn Abbas (RA) states that the Prophet (PBUH) said, Whoever puts on socks during wudu can wipe over them for a day and a night, or two days and nights if he is a traveler [Sahih Bukhari, 179]. This indicates that wudu's validity is linked to the socks remaining on, not the act of wiping itself. Expiry of Wiping Time Requires Washing Feet: Balancing Ease with Maintaining Cleanliness:The time limit for wiping over socks serves a purpose. It balances the concession for travelers with the importance of maintaining cleanliness during prayer. After a certain period (one day for residents, three days for travelers), the condition of the socks might become uncertain. Therefore, washing the feet ensures proper purification before prayer. Scholarly Consensus:There is scholarly consensus (ijma') that the permission to wipe over socks has a time limit. Scholars differed slightly on the exact duration, but all agreed that exceeding the limit necessitates washing the feet for subsequent prayers [Ibn Qudamah, al-Mughni, 1/204]. Key Points: Taking off socks after wiping over them does not invalidate wudu as long as the wiping happened within the permissible timeframe. The permission to wipe over socks has a set duration based on travel status. Expired wiping time necessitates washing the feet before subsequent prayers. Misconceptions about Wiping over Socks and Removing Socks Here are some common misconceptions and clarifications: Taking off socks automatically invalidates wudu regardless of the wiping time limit. This is incorrect. As discussed, removing socks after valid wiping doesn't break wudu. Wiping can be indefinitely repeated after removing socks for brief periods: This is also incorrect. Once the wiping period ends, it's necessary to wash the feet. Objections: Does Removing Socks Break Wudu? Doesn't removing socks expose the feet, requiring washing? The permissibility of wiping establishes that the feet are purified through the socks. Removing the socks doesn't change the feet's purification state. How can wudu remain valid when a barrier (socks) is removed? The removal of socks doesn't negate the act of purification that took place earlier. Wiping established a purified state on the barrier. FAQs What if I put the socks back on after taking them off? If the washing of the feet would invalidate the existing wudu (i.e., if your washing broke a condition of wudu or the wiping period has expired), then you would need to make a new wudu. Otherwise, if none of the conditions of wudu are broken, you may continue without washing the feet or making a new wudu. Does the material of the socks affect the permissibility of wiping? Most scholars agree that thick socks that cover the feet properly are suitable for wiping. This typically includes socks made of leather, wool, cotton, or other similar materials. Can I wipe over socks with holes or tears? Small holes or tears usually don't invalidate wiping. However, if the hole is significant and exposes a substantial portion of the foot, some scholars recommend washing that exposed part of the foot. Conclusion The concession of wiping over socks serves as a practical ease for Muslims, particularly travelers. Following the conditions and parameters set by Islamic law ensures one can benefit from this while maintaining a correct ritual purification. Wiping over socks is a permissible act that can be performed within specific time limits outlined by authentic hadiths. Taking off socks after wiping does not invalidate wudu as long as the feet were purified within the permissible timeframe.