Masah Permissible on SealSkinz socks

Interesting as it gets, Allah SWT is showing us that He is benevolent and Merciful. While it looked hard to digest that Masah is not allowed on regular socks, help from Allah SWT has come down to those who did Sabr (patience) and did not criticize our Ulama.

Please read the following Q&A which comes from issue #40 of the newsletter "Al Mahmood" which comes from Darul Iftaa-Madrassah Inaamiyyah, camperdown, South Africa. May Allah SWT give our Ulama long life and good health.

Question -> Recently a new sock called SealSkinz has come into the market. These socks are essentially made for  those involved in outdoor activities such as hunting, mountain climbing, etc., and therefore they are quite strong. Furthermore, these socks are totally waterproof. Is it permissible to make masah on such socks during wudhu?

Answer -> In order for it to be permissible to wipe on nonleather socks, it is imperative that the sock fulfils all the conditions of leather socks. After thoroughly studying the inherent qualities of leather socks, our illustrious Fuqaha ruled that non-leather socks should resemble leather socks in the following:

1. They should entirely cover both the ankles.
2. They should be durable enough that a person can travel and walk with the sock for three miles without them tearing.
3. Both socks should independently be free from holes to the extent of three small toes.
4. The socks should remain on the leg without it being tied or fastened.
5. They should be such that water does not seep through them.

(Noor al Idha (1/47, Yasir Nadeem), Hashiyyah at-Tahtawi ala Durr il mukhtaar (1/137, Al Maktabah al Arabiyyah, Tawaali al anwaar Q 294/Alif, Makhtoot: Al Maktabah al-Azhar)

We have personally examined ‘SealSkinz’ socks and are satisfied that they fulfill all the above-mentioned
conditions. One can refer to their website to see the full durability of these socks. Hence, it is permissible to use ‘SealSkinz’ socks as leather socks and make masah on them.

- Mufti Ebrahim Desai

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SealSkinz website: http://www.sealskinz.com/

Their claim: SealSkinz® are suitable for cycling, walking, climbing, golfing, riding, canoeing, motorcycling, sailing, fell running, orienteering, gardening, fishing, rowing, caving, backpacking, mountaineering ... and 100% waterproof.


May Allah SWT give us the right understanding of our Deen.