Over What Kind of Socks Is Wiping Valid?

Question

Socks that are woollen, dense, thick and so strong that they do not tear when one walks four miles in them without shoes — is it valid for a chronically ill person, for whom performing wudu with water in winter is very difficult, to wipe over them? Is it really necessary to obtain leather socks? Please inform us of the correct rulings.

Answer

Socks that are so strong and thick that water does not seep through them, and that, as you have written, do not tear when one walks four miles in them without shoes — wiping over them is permitted: for the resident (muqim) one day and one night, for the traveller (musafir) three days and three nights.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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