Wiping over the shoes

25-3-2004 | IslamWeb

Question:

I know about wiping over socks and Khuffs, but I would like to know if it is permissible to wipe our shoes during Wudu when we are at work or traveling and we are performing Wudu in public bathrooms?

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Answer:

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

 

First of all, if the conditions related to Khuff (boots) apply to the shoes including that these shoes cover the place which should be washed in Wudu, i.e. the whole foot from ankle to toe, then they could be wiped on provided the following conditions are met:

1.  That the person wears them while pure (in state of Wudu).

2.  That there is possibility to walk with them without fear that they will fall from the feet.

3.  That these shoes are lawful, not stolen.

4.  That these shoes are not transparent so that the skin can be seen through them.

However, some contemporary scholars, including Ibn Taymiyah, believe that the shoes can be wiped on even if transparent.

Allah knows best.