be able to repair it while travelling. If wiping over it were not permissible, the purpose of the concession would not be achieved.

Moreover, most scholars excuse the exposure of a small portion of the body that must be covered, as well as a small amount of impurity that is difficult to avoid. A small hole in a leather sock is no different.

The assertion that any exposed part must be washed is not accepted. Someone wiping over a leather sock does not wipe its entire surface, as one does with a splint. Rather, he wipes its upper surface, not its underside or heel, and this takes the place of washing the foot. Thus, wiping part of the leather sock suffices for both the part of the foot beneath the wiped area and the rest. If the hole is at the heel, that spot need neither be washed nor wiped. Even if it is on top of the foot, wiping every part of the top of the foot is not obligatory. And (wiping over leather socks is among the matters in which the Sunnah grants a concession; indeed, it also permits wiping over socks, turbans and other coverings. The Lawgiver’s purpose of granting ease must therefore not be contradicted by imposing hardship and restriction.

He was asked:

Is it permissible to wipe over a sock as one wipes over a leather sock? Does the hole at issue prevent wiping, since it may expose the skin of part of the area