it is upon your head, then wipe over it; no time limit applies to it. Among those who held this view were al-Shawkani in Nayl al-Awtar (1) and a group of scholars (2).

“In the case of minor ritual impurity, …”

His statement, “in the case of minor ritual impurity”: ritual impurity is a state affecting the body that prevents one from performing prayer and similar acts for which purification is stipulated.

It is of two types:

The first is major ritual impurity, which necessitates a ritual bath.

The second is minor ritual impurity, which necessitates ablution.

Thus, the turban, leather socks, and women’s head covering may only be wiped over in the case of minor ritual impurity, not major ritual impurity. The evidence for this is the hadith of Safwan ibn Assal, who said: “The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, instructed us, when travelling, not to remove our leather socks for three days and nights, except in the case of major ritual impurity; but not for defecation, urination, or sleep” (3).

His words, “except in the case of major ritual impurity,” refer to major ritual impurity.

And his words, “but for defecation, urination, and sleep,” refer to this state of ritual impurity—