As for their statement that wiping and washing cannot be combined in a single limb, this is refuted by the case of a splint when it covers half of the forearm: the splint is wiped over, while the part not covered by it is washed. Even if we concede that the entire foot must be covered, we may say that the exposed part is washed, while the part covered by the leather sock is wiped over, just as with a splint. However, this concession is not accepted. What Shaykh al-Islam preferred is the stronger view, since such leather socks are generally not free of holes. So how can we impose hardship upon people and obligate them to do this?

Moreover, many people nowadays wear thin socks, finding them beneficial for their feet and providing warmth. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, sent out a military detachment, and they were afflicted by cold, so he instructed them to wipe over their turbans and leather socks (1). The term “warming foot-coverings” refers to leather socks, because they are intended to keep the feet warm, and socks such as these do provide warmth for the feet.

Thus, this condition is a matter of scholarly disagreement, and the correct view is that it is not to be taken into consideration.

“It must remain in place by itself . . .”

His statement, “It must remain in place by itself,” means that it must stay in place on its own, or with sandals; in that case, it may be wiped over until the sandals are removed. This is the fifth condition for the permissibility of wiping over leather socks. If it remains in place only by being tied, then it is not permissible to wipe over it. This is the position of the school.

Thus, if a man with a small foot were to wear an oversized leather sock but tie it around his foot so that it would not fall off while walking, it would not be valid for him to wipe over it.