Regarding Wudu Without Proper Facilities

Rafiqul Islam
Via email

Question: I am outside the country and have to perform wudu in a small basin while on duty. I wear a shirt, pants and shoes. If I remove my shoes, I may face problems with senior officers. Can I wipe my shoes with wet hands without removing them? Will my wudu and prayer be valid?

Answer: Wiping over cloth socks and shoes can be valid under specific conditions, but simply wiping ordinary shoes with wet hands is not sufficient. They must be made of leather or resin, securely tied to the feet with a chain or ribbon, allow comfortable walking on the ground, soil or sand, and prevent water from passing through. Wiping is valid for 24 hours for a resident and for three days and three nights while travelling. Sandals, shoes or boots may be worn over such socks when necessary. However, wiping over ordinary socks is not valid. Therefore, wiping directly over ordinary shoes in the situation described above does not constitute valid wudu, and prayers performed after such wudu would not be valid.

Answered by: Allama Mufti Ubaidur Rahman Khan Nadvi
Source: Jameul Fatawa, Islamic Fiqh and Fatwa Encyclopedia

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