I have boils on my legs and the

519

Q: If, after becoming Tahir (ritually pure) for offering the Fajr (Dawn) Prayer, I cover my feet with socks, is it permissible to wipe over socks when performing Wudu’ for the other four daily Salahs (Prayers)? I have a pain in one of my feet and water harms it; is it permissible for me to wipe over them both during Wudu’? I am an Imam (the one who leads congregational Prayer) and I may face questions about this, so please give me a detailed answer about this.

A: All praise be to Allah Alone, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger, and his family and Companions. If the reality is as you mentioned, that water harms your foot, you are permitted to perform Wudu’ and wash the foot that is not harmed by water and then perform Tayammum (dry ablution with clean earth) for the other foot. Then put socks on and afterwards you can wipe over them for one day and night if you are resident, and three days and nights if you are on a journey. (Part No. 5; Page No. 250) The socks should be thick and should cover the area that is washed during Wudu’. If the socks are thin or do not cover all the area that is washed during Wudu’, you are not permitted to wipe over them.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.