I came to 'A'isha to ask her about wiping over the socks. She said: You better ask ('Ali) son of Abu Talib for he used to travel with Allah's Messenger (ﷺ). We asked him and he said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) stipulated (the upper limit) of three days and three nights for a traveller and one day and one night for the resident.
The Book of Purification - Sahih Muslim 276a
This narration from the esteemed collection of Sahih Muslim addresses the permissibility and duration of wiping over leather socks (khuffayn) during ablution, a significant concession in Islamic ritual purity.
Contextual Analysis
The companion's approach to Umm al-Mu'minin 'A'isha demonstrates the meticulous care early Muslims took in verifying religious practices through proper chains of transmission.
'A'isha's referral to 'Ali ibn Abi Talib highlights the importance of consulting those who directly witnessed the Prophet's actions, particularly during travel when specific rulings applied.
Juridical Ruling
The hadith establishes the maximum duration for wiping over socks: three days and nights for travelers and one day and night for residents, calculated from the first wiping after post-sock-wearing ablution.
This concession recognizes the practical challenges of removing socks for each ablution, especially during travel, while maintaining the essence of purification.
Conditions for Validity
The socks must be worn after proper ablution (wudu), cover the mandatory washing areas of the feet, and be made of material that prevents water penetration while being sturdy enough for walking.
The wiping is performed on the upper surface of the socks using moist hands during ablution, serving as symbolic purification for the covered feet.
Scholarly Consensus
This ruling represents one of the matters upon which the majority of classical scholars reached consensus, demonstrating the authenticity and practical application of this Prophetic teaching across Islamic schools of jurisprudence.