and wiping—that is, combining the original obligation with its substitute. This is impermissible, since one must either wash both feet or wipe over both leather socks.

The first view, however, is sounder. It follows by analogy from Ahmad’s underlying principle and his explicit rulings excusing slight exposure of the parts of the body that must be covered, small amounts of impurity, and similar matters. The Sunnah establishes wiping over leather socks without qualification, through both the Prophet’s words and his actions, as in the report of Safwān ibn ‘Assāl:

“The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, commanded us, when we were on a journey—or travelling—not to remove our leather socks for three days and nights except because of major ritual impurity, but not to remove them because of defecation, urination, or sleep.”

This was reported by the compilers of the Sunan, and al-Tirmidhī graded it authentic. Safwān thus explained that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, commanded his community not to remove their leather socks while travelling for three days because of defecation, urination, or sleep, but to remove them because of major ritual impurity.

Likewise, he commanded his Companions to wipe over foot-warmers and headwraps. Foot-warmers are leather socks, so called because they warm the feet. Authentic reports that he wiped over leather socks are widespread. His Companions learned this from him and therefore affirmed the permissibility of wiping over leather socks without qualification. They also transmitted his command without qualification, as in Sahīh Muslim, where Shurayh ibn Hāni’ said:

I went to ‘Ā’ishah to ask her about wiping over leather socks. She said, “Go to Ibn Abī Tālib and ask him, for he used to travel with the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.” So we asked him, and he said:

“The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, prescribed three days