And is religion contrary to reason? The answer is: no. Rather, if this attribution to Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, is authentic, what he meant is the immediate, apparent judgment, as Allah says: “And we do not see you followed except by the lowest of us, at first glance” [Hud: 27]—that is, as the matter outwardly appears.

For upon reflection, we find that wiping the upper part of the leather sock is more appropriate and is what reason itself indicates, because this wiping is not intended for cleaning or purification; rather, it is an act of worship. If we were to wipe the underside of the leather sock, it would only make it soiled.

From his toes to his shin, not its underside or heel, and over the entire splint . . .

His statement, “From his toes to his shin,” explains the manner of wiping: one begins from the toes—that is, the toes of the foot—and wipes up to the shin. Reports have been narrated from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and his Companions indicating that the wiping is done with the fingers spread apart, so that lines resembling fingers can be seen across the upper surface of the leather sock (1).

His statement, “not its underside or heel,” is because these are not part of the upper side of the foot. Wiping has only been narrated concerning the upper side, as previously mentioned in the hadith of al-Mughirah, for its narrations (2) indicate the same as the hadith of Ali, may Allah be pleased with him.