Sunan an-Nasa'i 125 b

Overview & Central Theme

This noble hadith, recorded by Imam An-Nasa'i in The Book of Purification, establishes the prophetic practice of wiping over the two cloth socks (al-jawrabayn) and the two sandals (al-na'layn) during ablution. The central theme is the divinely granted concession (rukhsah) that alleviates hardship in worship, demonstrating Islam's balanced approach—combining rigorous purity with practical mercy. The Prophet ﷺ, by wiping over these coverings, taught that the essence of purification lies in obedience to divine command, not rigid literalism. Imam An-Nasa'i's editorial note (ta'liq) clarifies the authenticity hierarchy, affirming that the well-established (sahih) narration from Al-Mughirah specifies wiping over leather socks (khuffayn), while the variant mentioning cloth socks and sandals is isolated (shadhdh) due to the weakness of Abu Qays as a transmitter. This underscores the meticulous science of hadith criticism, where even a single weak link affects acceptance, preserving the Sunnah's integrity.

Context & Linguistic Insights

The hadith occurs in the context of the Prophet's ﷺ practical teaching during travel or daily life, where removing footwear repeatedly caused difficulty. Linguistically, "al-jawrabayn" (جَوْرَبَيْنِ) refers to thick cloth or woolen socks worn for warmth and protection, while "al-na'layn" (نَعْلَيْنِ) denotes sandals—open footwear common in Arabia. The verb "masaha" (مَسَحَ) means to wipe lightly with wet hands, distinct from "ghasala" (washing), indicating a lighter ritual act. The phrase "عَلَى" (upon) specifies the surface wiped, not the feet directly. Imam An-Nasa'i's comment—"We know no one who followed Abu Qays on this narration"—highlights the principle of mutaba'ah (corroboration); a solitary narrator's report contrary to stronger transmissions is deemed irregular. The authentic ruling, as clarified, is wiping over khuffayn (leather socks), which the majority of scholars uphold, with the permissibility of wiping over thick socks (jawrabayn) accepted by Hanafi and some Shafi'i scholars under specific conditions—such as being thick enough to stay on without tying and impermeable to water.

Key Scholarly Insights & Legal Benefits

• Jurisprudential Principle: The hadith establishes that wiping over foot coverings is a valid substitute for washing the feet during ablution, provided the coverings were put on in a state of ritual purity (taharah)—a condition derived from other authentic narrations (e.g., Muslim 274).
• Authenticity & Hadith Criticism: Imam An-Nasa'i's clarification demonstrates that a narration's weakness (due to a narrator like Abu Qays) does not negate the underlying practice; rather, it directs scholars to the stronger, corroborated version, teaching methodological rigor over blind acceptance.
• Ethical & Practical Mercy: The concession reflects Allah's intent to ease religious obligations (Qur'an 5:6: "Allah intends ease for you"), encouraging Muslims to embrace divine dispensations without unnecessary hardship, while still maintaining the sanctity of ritual purity.

"Imam An-Nawawi states in Al-Majmu': 'The majority of scholars agree on the permissibility of wiping over the khuffayn, and the difference over jawrabayn is a matter of ijtihad; the correct view, held by Abu Hanifah and Ahmad in one narration, is that wiping over thick socks is permissible if they meet the conditions of the khuff.'"

Daily Life & Spiritual Application

In our contemporary lives, this hadith teaches us to seek knowledge with precision—verifying religious rulings through authentic sources rather than relying on weak or isolated reports. Practically, a Muslim may wipe over their socks or footwear when performing ablution, provided they were worn after a complete purification and the wiping period is observed (24 hours for residents, 72 hours for travelers), as per the Sunnah. Spiritually, the concession instills gratitude for Allah's mercy, reminding us that worship is not meant to burden but to purify the heart and soul. It also calls for balance: neither excessive rigidity that ignores divine ease, nor laxity that compromises the ritual's integrity. By embodying this teaching, we emulate the Prophet's ﷺ compassion and wisdom, transforming daily acts into moments of conscious devotion and trust in divine guidance.