ILM AL-HÂL

98 MASAH (WIPING) OVER KHUFFAYN (LEATHER SOCKS) It is legally permissible for both men and women to wipe over Khuffayn (leather socks) THE NECESSARY CONDITIONS OF MASAH (WIPING) 1. The leather socks are to be put on in state of Wudhû (ablution). 2. They must cover the feet including the ankles and heels, and they must be durable enough to last for a twelve thousand steps (nearly 5 kilometres) walk, 3. Both of them are to be free from an opening or a hole equal in size to the three smallest toes. 4. They must be thick enough to stand in an erect position when not worn and they must be water resistant. 5. As for one whose one foot has been amputated; in order for such a person to use leather socks, their foot must be a minimum of three fingers in length from the heel. (Someone, whose one foot has been amputated and thus remained with the heel only, is not even allowed to wipe over their other foot, which is sound and healthy.) THE AMOUNT of MASAH (WIPING) The obligatory amount of masah (wiping) is as long as the length of the three smallest fingers, over the frontal part of each leather socks.