non-Muslims.
Muḥammad ibn Abī Ḥarb (1) said: “Aḥmad was asked about a Sindhi sandal (2) that a person wears outdoors. He deemed it disliked for both men and women and said, ‘If it is for the privy (3) or for performing wuḍūʾ (4), then there is no harm.’ He added, ‘I also dislike the ṣirār (5), for it belongs to the dress of the non-Arabs.’
Saʿīd ibn ʿĀmir (6) was asked about it and replied, ‘The practice of our Prophet is dearer to us than the practice of Bākhan (7).’
In the report transmitted by al-Marwadhī, when he was asked about the Sindhi sandal he said, ‘As for me, I do not wear it; however, if it is for mud or for the privy (8)(9), I hope it is permissible. As for the one who seeks adornment in it—no (10).’ When he saw a Sindhi sandal placed at the entrance of the privy he remarked, ‘He is imitating (11) the children of kings.’
(1) The printed edition reads “b. Harb,” whereas the manuscripts correctly have: “Muhammad b. Naqib b. Abi Harb al-Jarjaraʾi.” Ahmad b. Hanbal used to correspond with him and inquire about his circumstances; he transmitted from the Imam and reported valuable legal questions on his authority. See: Tabaqat al-Hanabila 1:331, no. 105.
(2) An adjective derived from the lands of Sind.
(3) In classical Arabic al-kanif denotes a screen and, by extension, the latrine. See Mukhtar al-sihah, s.v. k-n-f, p. 580.
(4) The printed text adds: “then there is no harm,” which completes the sense.
(5) From the context, al-sirrār appears to be a kind of footwear worn by non-Arabs.
(6) Saʿid b. ʿAmir al-Dabʿi al-Basri, Abu Muhammad, was a pious, trustworthy scholar; the author will discuss him below. Born in 122/740, he died in 208/823. See Tahdhib al-tahdhib 4:50–51, no. 79.
(7) Bākahan is the name of an Indian king, as the author will mention.
(8) The printed edition reads idha (“if”).
(9) The meaning of al-makhraj here is uncertain; it may refer either to the place of relieving oneself (al-kanif) or to shoes worn for going out rather than for adornment.
(10) See Masāʾil al-Imam Ahmad by al-Naysaburi 2:145–46.
(11) Copy B reads tatashabbah, copy H tashabbah, while the printed edition has natashabbah.