Negus presented to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) two black and simple socks. He put them on; then he performed ablution and wiped over them.
Musaddad reported this tradition from Dulham b. Salih.
Abu Dawud said: This tradition has been narrated by the people of Basrah alone.
Purification (Kitab Al-Taharah) - Sunan Abi Dawud 155
This narration from Sunan Abi Dawud describes an incident where the Negus (ruler of Abyssinia) gifted the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) two simple black socks, after which the Prophet wore them and performed ablution, wiping over them instead of removing them.
Scholarly Commentary on Wiping Over Socks
The permissibility of wiping over leather socks (khuffayn) is established in authentic traditions, but this particular narration addresses ordinary fabric socks. Classical scholars differ in their interpretation: some Hanafi and Hanbali jurists permit wiping over any type of socks that meet certain conditions (thickness, durability, and covering the obligatory area), while Shafi'i and Maliki scholars generally restrict it to leather socks specifically.
The condition for wiping over socks is that they must be put on while in a state of purity, and the wiping is valid for one day and night for residents, or three days and nights for travelers. The wiping is performed on the upper surface of the socks with wet hands.
Chain of Narration Analysis
Abu Dawud's remark that this tradition was narrated solely by the people of Basrah indicates it has a limited chain of transmission. While the main narrators are trustworthy, the solitary nature of this report places it in the category of hadith that require careful examination. Some scholars consider it a weak narration, while others accept it as evidence for the broader application of wiping over various types of foot coverings.
Practical Juridical Application
In practical terms, the majority of classical scholars exercised caution and maintained the position that wiping is only permissible over leather socks. However, some contemporary scholars, considering modern footwear and the principle of easing difficulties, have extended the ruling to thick socks that prevent water from penetrating and meet the other conditions. The seeker of knowledge should follow the position of their qualified school of jurisprudence in this matter.