Hadith Text & Context

Narrated by Al-Mughira bin Shu'ba (RA): Once Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) went out to answer the call of nature and I followed him with a tumbler containing water, and when he finished, I poured water and he performed ablution and passed wet hands over his Khuffs (socks made from thick fabric or leather).

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 203

Scholarly Commentary

This hadith establishes the permissibility of wiping over leather socks (khuffs) during ablution, which is a significant concession (rukhsa) in Islamic jurisprudence. The Prophet (ﷺ) demonstrated this practice after having already worn the khuffs in a state of purity.

The act of wiping is performed by moistening the hands and passing them over the upper surface of the khuffs, unlike the detailed washing required for bare feet. This ruling applies to both travelers and residents, with scholars differing on the duration of its permissibility (24 hours for residents and 72 hours for travelers).

This narration also illustrates the Companions' meticulous care in observing and preserving the Prophet's practices, even in private moments, for the benefit of future generations.

Juridical Significance

The wiping over khuffs substitutes for washing the feet in wudu', provided the khuffs were put on while in a state of complete purity. This ruling represents Allah's mercy in facilitating worship, especially during travel or cold weather.

Major conditions for this concession include: the khuffs must cover the entire foot up to the ankles, be sturdy enough to walk in, and be free from major impurities. The validity period begins from the first wiping after breaking wudu'.

Source & Authenticity

Book: Ablutions (Wudu') | Author: Sahih al-Bukhari

This narration is universally accepted by scholars as authentic and forms part of the mutawatir (mass-transmitted) practices of the Prophet (ﷺ). It is cited across all major schools of Islamic law as foundational evidence for this ruling.