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Explanation of Umdat-ul-Akm and Umdat-ul-Fiqh

Conditions for the Validity of Wiping Over the Non-Leather Socks

As stated, and duly referenced, in the prior lesson there is an agreement of the four
well-known madhhib on permissibility of performing mas-ha on Jawrabayn (nonleather socks), with their own. Now to discuss with references from the relied
upon books of each madh-hab what conditions have they set to allow wiping over
Jawrabayn.
Note: Before the initiation of the discussion regarding the conditions of
Jawrabayn, the following definitions will be of use to the students of knowledge.
Imm al-alwn defines and expounds upon the Jawrabayn as quoted
in al-Mu al-Burhn:
Jawrib are of a few types: Some are of yarn and wool, others are made
only of yarn. Some are made of fur. Some are made from hair of animals
and others are bond with thin leather and some are from kirbs (a rough
cotton). [ 1 ]
After understanding that Jawrib are all types of socks, not made from leather
(unlike the khuff) we do need to understand that there are types of Jawrib. We
can break them out into three types that are important for the student of knowledge
to understand. The first would be a simple Jawrab made of any of the earlier
mentioned materials. However there are two other subcategories:
1. Munaalayn ( )This is when the soles (bottom of the socks) have
leather stitched on to them.
2. Mujalladayn ( )This is when there is leather stitched on the top and
bottom of the Jawrab.
In fact we see Shaikh-ul-Islm Taq-ud-Dn Ibn Taymiyyah has
clarified the issue with his statement:

The difference between al-Jawrabayn and an-Nalayn is that the one is

from wool and the other is from hide. [ 2 ]

The anaf Madh-hab: In the standard and relied upon book of anaf Fiqh,
Badi a-ani of Imm al-Ksn it states:

1
2

Al-Mu al-Burhn Volume # 1 Page # 344

Majm al-Fatawa Volume # 21 Page # 214

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Lesson # 30

And with regards to performing mas-a upon al-Jawrabayn then if they

are al-Mujalladayn or an-Nalayn then is it permissible (to perform mas-ha
upon them) without any disagreement amongst our companions (meaning
the anaf scholars). [ 3 ]
This is further explained in the famous book al-Lubb f al-Jam bayna as-Sunnah
wal-Kitb ala madh-hab al-Imm Ab anfah of Imm Al bin Zakary alManbij al-anaf :

It is permissible to wipe over al-Jawrabayn (non-leather socks) if they are

thick even if they are not Mujalladayn upon the final verdict of the Imm
(Ab anfah). [ 4 ]
The proof for this, from a anaf perspective is presented by the famous anaf
scholar Imm Ibn Najm al-anaf in his famous book Bar ar-Riq
Shar Kanz ad-Daqiq f fur al-anafyah:

{














}

..due to what is reported by at-Tirmidh on the authority of al-Mughrah

bin Shubah
who said: An-Nab performed the wu and

He wiped over His socks and he said this adth is asan a it was
also reported by Ibn ibbn in his a as well [ 5 ]

Badi a-ani Volume # 1 Page # 37

Al-Lubb f al-Jam bayna as-Sunnah wal-Kitb ala madh-hab al-Imm Ab anfah

Volume # 1 Page # 134
5
Bar ar-Riq Shar Kanz ad-Daqiq f fur al-anafyah Volume # 1 Page # 144

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Lesson # 30

Explanation of Umdat-ul-Akm and Umdat-ul-Fiqh

Hence the anaf madh-hab permits performing mas-a upon al-Jawrabayn even
if they are not Mujalladayn or Nalayn. The scholars of the anaf madh-hab have
stated there are a few conditions on what type of Jawrabayn may be wiped over.
Some of these conditions are agreed upon by the consensus of the anaf scholars
and others there have disagreements about.
They should be hir and all.
They must have been worn while in a state of wu.
They must be thick not showing the skin beneath.
They should entirely cover the whole foot including both the ankles.
They should be durable enough that a person can travel and walk in them.
[The Majority of the anaf scholars have specified that one must be able
to walk in them for three miles but many prominent anaf scholars
disagree stating there is no evidence for this specification].
6. Both socks should independently be free from holes. [The majority of the
anaf scholars have stated that holes are acceptable to the extent of three
small toes.]
7. The socks should remain on the leg independently.
8. They should be such that water does not seep through the (while wiping).
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Some of these condition are agreement upon by consensus of the anaf scholars,
such as the socks being thick. While other conditions are points of disagreement
within the anf. This is usually due to lack of evidences to support some of these
conditions. From examples the great anaf Faqih, famous amongst the anaf
scholars as, Imm al-Ar, Imm Muammad Anwar Shh al-Kashmir
states in his Shar of at-Timidh that specifying a minimum of 3 miles is not based
upon any evidences from the Qurn or Sunnah, hence he rejected it. He held the
opinion that a person should be able to walk in these socks without the sock
slipping off, without specifying a distance. [ 6 ]
The Mlik Madh-hab: The Mlik madh-hab allows performing mas-a on the
thick Jawrabayn but only when they are thick and Mujalladayn. In the standard
and relied upon book of Mlik Fiqh, Mukhtaar al-Khall it states the following
conditions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

6
7

They should be hir and all.

They must have been worn while in a state of wu.
They must be thick not showing the skin beneath.
They should entirely cover the whole foot including both the ankles.
Both socks should completely free from holes.
The socks should remain on the leg independently.
They should be bond with leather. [ 7 ]

Al-Arf ash Shadh Sharh Sunan at-Tirmidh note under adth # 99

Mukhtaar al-Khall Volume # 1 page # 23

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Lesson # 30

This is also the opinion recorded by al-fidh Ibn AbdulBarr in atTamhd [ 8 ] and in al-Istidhkr[ 9 ].
The Shfi opinion: The Shfi madh-hab allows performing mas-a upon the
thick Jawrabayn. Imm an-Nawaw has presented the following
conditions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

They should be hir and all.

They must have been worn while in a state of wu.
They must be thick.
They should entirely cover the whole foot including both the ankles.
Both socks should completely free from holes.
The socks should remain on the leg independently.
They should be such that water does not seep through the (while wiping).
[ 10 ]

Distinguished Shfi scholars, such as Imm Ysuf bin usayn al-Karkh

, Imm Ab Is-aq ash-Shirzi , Imm al-Ghazl , and
Imm al-Nawaw all indicate that there is disagreement amongst the
Shfi madh-hab regarding if the water seeping while wiping is a problem or not.
[ 11 ]

The anbal opinion: According to the anbilah one is allowed to perform masa upon the thick Jawrabayn without any disagreement. Imm Manr bin Ynus
al-Baht has presented the following conditions in Shar Muntah alIrdt:
They should be hir and all.
They must have been worn while in a state of wu.
They must be thick not showing the skin beneath.
They should entirely cover the whole foot including both the ankles.
Both socks should completely free from holes.
6. The socks should remain on the leg independently[ 12 ].
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Imm al-Mardw has confirmed in al-Inf [ 13 ] that being waterproof

is not a condition. Shaikh-ul-Islm Ibn Qudmah states writes in his
masterpiece on al-Mughn:

8
9

At-Tamhd Volume # 11 page # 157

Al-Istidhkr Volume # 1 page # 279

10

Al-Majm Volume # 1 page # 101

11

Al-Majm Volume # 1 page # 100 -121

Shar Muntah al-Irdt Volume # 1 Page # 58

12

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Lesson # 30

Explanation of Umdat-ul-Akm and Umdat-ul-Fiqh

It is only permissible to wipe over socks al-Jawrab if two conditions are

met: The first is that they are thick so that nothing of the foot appears and
the second is that it is possible to walk in them to some length. This is the
clear meaning of al-Khiraqs words.
Imm Amad has said regarding wiping over the socks without
sandals: If he walks on them and they remain upon his feet, then there is
nothing wrong with doing so. On another occasion, he said: He can wipe
over them if they remain firm upon his heels. On another he said: If he
can walk in them without their falling down, then there is nothing wrong
with his wiping over them. This is because if they fall down, the part (of
the foot) that needs to be washed in wu becomes exposed. [ 14 ]
Having mentioned all of the above it seems what the scholars of the four madhhib
all agree upon are the following conditions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

They should be hir and all.

They must have been worn while in a state of wu.
They must be thick not showing the skin beneath.
They should entirely cover the whole foot including both the ankles.
Both socks should completely free from holes.
The socks should remain on the leg independently.

As for thin socks that expose the color of the skin or those socks with major holes
that do not cover that which must be washed, then the majority of the scholars of
Islm do not allow wiping over such socks.
Imm Ibn Ab Shaybah reported from both Imm Sad bin al-Musayyab
and Imm al-asan al-Bari

.
Wiping on al-Jawrabayn will only be permissible if they are very thick. [ 15 ]

13

Al-Inf Volume # 1 Page # 176

14

Al-Mughn Volume # 1 pages # 373-374

Muannaf Ibn Ab Shaybah Volume # 1 pages # 188

15

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Lesson # 30