If the Person in Ihram wears Sandals or Socks

Question

If the man or woman in Ihram wears sandals or socks, whether due to ignorance or knowingly or forgetfully, does any of this nullify his Ihram?


Answer


The Sunnah is that the male assumes Ihram in two sandals. This is because it has been related from the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) that he said:

"Each of you should assume Ihram in a waist garment, an upper garment and two sandals.” (Talkhis Al-Habair 2.237)

Therefore, it is better to assume Ihram in sandals so that he can be protected from thorns, the hot ground and things that are cold. If the person does not assume Ihram in sandals, there is no harm in that. If he cannot find sandals, it is permissible for him to assume Ihram in leather socks. Should he cut them or not? There is a difference of opinion among the people of knowledge concerning this. It has been confirmed from the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) that he said:


"Whoever cannot find two sandals, then let him wear two leather socks, and let him cut them off below the ankles.” (Al-Bukhari 1842 and Muslim 1177)


It has been related from him in his sermon that he gave during the Farewell Hajj at 'Arafat that he ordered to wear two leather socks whoever did not find two sandals and he did not command that they be cut. Thus, the scholars differ concerning that. Some of them say that the first matter was abrogated, so the person may wear the leather socks without cutting them. Others say that it was not abrogated, however it is recomme¬nded and not obligatory due to the Prophet's (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) silence about it 'Arafat. The most correct view, if Allah wills, is that cutting them is abrogated. This is because the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) gave a sermon to the people at 'Arafat and a large group of people were present for his sermon from the city dwellers and the desert dwellers. Some of them were not present for his sermon in Al-Madinah during which he commanded that the leather socks be cut. So, if cutting them was obligatory or legislated, he would have clarified that for his Ummah. Since he was silent about that at 'Arafat, this proves that it was abrogated and that Allah (pardoned and allowed his servants not to cut them due to what it contained of damaging the leather socks. And Allah knows best.

In reference to the woman, there is no sin on her if she wears leather socks or cloth socks, because she is 'Awrah (that which should be concealed). However, she is prohibited from two things: the Niqab (face veil) and the two gloves. This is because the Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) prohibited that. He said:

'The woman (in Ihram) does not wear the face veil, nor does she wear gloves.” (Al-Bukhari 1842)

The Niqab is something that is made for the face, like the Burqa'. The woman does not wear it while she is in Ihram. However, she must cover her face with whatever she wishes other than the Niqab when (Al-Ajanib) non-related men are present. This is because her face is 'Awrah (that which should be concealed). If she is far away from men, she may uncover her face. It is not permissible for her to place the Niqab over her face, nor the Burqa'. It is also not permissible for her to wear gloves, and they are two coverings that are made for the hands. The woman in Ihram may not wear them, but she may cover her hands with something else.


Ash-Shaykh Ibn Baz (Rahimahullah)

Reference: Fatawa Islamiyah Volume 4 Pages144-146