Commentary on the Hadeeth concerning the time period of Wiping over the socks in wudoo

Praise be to Allah,

It was narrated that Shuraih ibn Haani’ said: I came to ‘Aa’ishah and asked her about wiping over the Khuff. She said, “You should go to (‘Alee) ibn Aboo Taalib and ask him, for her used to travel with the Messenger of Allaah (PBUH).” So we asked him and he said,

“The Messenger of Allaah (PBUH) set a limit of three days and their nights (i.e., three nights) for the traveler, and one day and night for one who is not traveling.”[i]

Important Points Derived from the Hadeeth:

The period of time allowed for al-Mas-hu (wiping), over the socks and turban, during a journey is three days and nights. The period allowed for al-Mas-hu for one who is resident is one day and night, i.e. 24 hours – beginning from the time one actually wipes [over the socks after nullifying the ablution] – whether traveling or resident, according to the most correct opinion of the scholars.

Note:

1. It is almost agreed upon that the beginning of the time period allowed for wiping is from the time of the nullification of ablution after putting on the socks[ii], not from the time of wiping.

2. However, there is a report from Imaam Ahmad that the beginning of the time period allowed for wiping is from the time one actually wipes [over the socks] after nullifying the ablution. This is also the choice of al-Mundharee. An-Nawawee said: “This is the strongest or best opinion in light of the evidence.”

3. Al-Hasan al-Basaree said: “[The period of time allowed for wiping begins] from the time of putting on the socks.”[iii]

Allah Knows Best

Copied from Source:

Tayseer al-Allaam Sharh Umdatul-Ahkaam by Shaykh Abdullah ibn Abdur – Rahmaan Aal Bassaam. Page 51

[i] Saheeh Muslim, Volume 1, Book 2, Hadeeth Number 639, p. 399

[ii] It was narrated from ‘Abdur-Rahman ibn Aboo Bakrah, from his father, that the Prophet (N) granted a concession to travelers, “If a traveler performed ablution and put on leather socks, then he performed a fresh ablution, he could wipe over leather socks for three days and nights; the resident could do so for one day and one night.” [Sunan ibn Maajah, Volume 1, Book 1, Hadeeth Number 556, p.382-383, Classed as Hasan by Haafiz Aboo Taahir Zubayr ‘Alee Za’i] 11 Rahmah al-Ummah Fi Ikhtilaaf al-A’immah, (pg.

[iii] Rahmah al-Ummah Fi Ikhtilaaf al-A’immah, (pg. 21) Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Abdur-Rahman ad- Dimashqee, 8th Century Hijrah