Can You Wipe Your Feet Instead of Washing Them in Wudu? Dar Al-Iftaa Clarifies
In response to a question about wiping the feet during ablution outside the home, Egypt’s Dar Al-Iftaa clarified that wiping does not replace washing, explaining the proper way to maintain purification in such situations.
Egypt’s Dar Al-Iftaa, through Dr. Mahmoud Shalaby, Secretary of the Fatwa Department, clarified that wiping the feet does not fulfill the obligation of washing during wudu (ablution). The Shari‘ah explicitly commands washing the feet up to the ankles, meaning that water must flow over the area — something not achieved by simple wiping.
The clarification came after a woman asked whether it is permissible to wipe her feet at work due to the difficulty of washing them there.
Dr. Shalaby explained that merely wiping the foot with a wet hand is not considered washing, and thus the wudu is invalid in that case. He referred to the Qur’anic verse:
“O you who have believed, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles.” [Al-Ma’idah: 6]
He emphasized that the structure of the verse shows that the feet are among the parts that must be washed, not wiped.
However, for those who face difficulty washing their feet in public or work settings, he advised performing a complete wudu at home, including washing the feet, then wearing clean socks that fully cover the feet. In that case, one may wipe over the socks when renewing wudu later, as long as certain conditions are met.
The socks must be pure, intact, and fully covering the foot area required for washing, Dr. Shalaby stressed, adding that this is a legitimate concession designed to make purification easier for people in practical circumstances.
He concluded by reminding that the essence of wudu lies in proper purification and adherence to divine instruction, and that wiping over socks is a permitted ease — not a substitute for washing.
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