Question:
Is it permissible or desirable to perform Salah in shoes?
Please answer in details with evidences.
Answer:
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
حامدا ومصليا ومسلما
The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) has performed Salah in sandals as well as barefooted.
Abü Maslama Sa’id bin Yazid Al-Azdi said: I asked Anas bin Mãlik (رضي الله عنه) whether the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) had ever offered Salah (prayer) with his sandals on. He replied, “Yes.”[1]
‘Amr bin Shu’aib reported from his father, from his grandfather, that he said: “I saw the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) pray barefooted, and (also saw him praying) while wearing sandals.”[2]
It is permissible to perform Salah in shoes on the condition that:
- There is no impurity on any one of them which prevents Salah.
- One is able to complete his Sajdah i.e. he performs Sajdah with his toes pressing on the floor.
- This would be achieved if ones toes are touching the inner front of the shoes (of this era) and there is no space in between.
These conditions are derived from the following hadiths:
- Once the sandals of the Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) had some filth on them, Jibraeel informed him about it, so he removed them.[3]
“When one of you comes to the Masjid, then let him see (his sandals); if he sees any uncleanliness – or impurity – on them, let him wipe it off and pray in them.”[4]
- It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbâs (رضي الله عنه) that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “I have been commanded to prostrate on seven bones: The forehead” – and he pointed to his nose – “the hands, the feet and the ends of the feet (toes), and not to tuck up my garment or hair.”[5]
- Imam Bukhari has also indicated to this second condition by bringing the chapter entitled, “If someone does not prostrate properly” after the chapters of permissibility of Salah in sandals and leather socks as explained by Imam Anwar Shah Kashmiri, his student Allamah Merathi and Hazrat Shaikh (رحمهم الله) in their respective commentaries of ‘Sahihul Bukhari’.[6]
- Allamah Khattabi,[7] Mulla Ali Qari[8] and Allamah Kawthari[9] (رحمهم الله) also pointed out these conditions. Shaikh Muhammad Awwamah (حفظه الله) also indicated to them in his footnote on ‘Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaibah’.[10]
According to majority of Ahnaaf, Malikiyah and Shawaafe’ performing Salah in sandals is simply permissible (with the above conditions) and it isn’t mustahab (encouraged). Abdur Rahman ibn Abi Lailaa (رحمه الله) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “Whoever wishes to perform Salah in his sandals then do so; and whoever wishes to remove them then do so.[11] Allamah Mahmmod As-Subki Al-Maliki said that this hadith clearly indicates that performing Salah in sandals is simply permissible and it is not a virtuous act because the Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) gave us a choice.[12]
In the time of the Rasool (صلى الله عليه وسلم) the floor of the masjid had pebbles and it didn’t have such a roof that could prevent the heat of the sun. The clothing and shoes of the Companions (رضي الله عنهم) were also not filthy because they were very clean as there are many Ahadith which encourage cleanliness and the Sahabah used to practice wholeheartedly on the dictates of the Sunnah. Also, the sandals they used did not prevent the toes from feeling the firmness of the ground nor from bending towards Qiblah, which is a Sunnah of Sajdah and the blessed habit of Rasûlullâh (صلى الله عليه وسلم).[13] Abu Humaid al-Saa’idi (رضي الله عنه) said when describing the Salah of Rasûlullâh (صلى الله عليه وسلم): “In prostrations, he placed both his hands on the ground with the forearms away from the ground, and turned his toes towards the Qiblah.”[14] These are some of the reasons why the Rasool (صلى الله عليه وسلم) performed Salah in sandals. Another reason was to oppose the Jews.
When Musa (عليه السلام) went up on the Mount Sinai, Allah commanded: “Remove your shoes, you are in the sacred valley of Tuwa.” {Surah Taha:12} This was an issue of adab and etiquettes. Imam Kashmiri explains that the Jews started to believe that Salah is invalid with sandals, so Shariah rectified this false notion like it does in many such instances.[15] For this purpose the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “Be different from the Jews, for they do not pray in their sandals or their leather socks.”[16]
So this permissible act would have been Mustahab in that era when the Jews were performing their prayers barefooted and a Muslim performed Salah with the intention of contradicting them.[17]
However, since the Jews and the Christians of today perform their prayers in shoes, performing Salah barefooted would be more rewarding.[18]
Another point is that the masaajid nowadays are carpeted and performing Salah in shoes would surely soil them. We have been taught to keep the masaajid clean. Aishah (رضي الله عنها) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) commanded masaajid be built in the villages and that they be kept clean and fragrant.[19] This is why the later Fuqahaa have said to enter the masjid with shoes is bad etiquette and even makrooh (reprehensible). Doing so will lead to fitnah (dissention) in these times.[20]
Some Contemporary scholars have passed a blanket ruling of impermissibility of Salah in the shoes of today.[21] For sure, most of the shoes will prevent one from bending their toes towards Qiblah. This is why it is best to refrain from performing Salah in these shoes. However if there is a dire need to perform Salah in them, then one must meet the two above mentioned conditions.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best.
Muhammad ibn Suleman Chothia
Verified and approved by Mufti Muhammad Mahdi
References:
[1] [Bukhari #386 The Book of Salah, Chapter 24]
[2] [Abu Dawud #651 The Book of Salat (The Prayer) Chapter 88. Praying In Sandals]
[3] [Abu Dawud #650 The Book of Salat (The Prayer) Chapter 88. Praying In Sandals]
[4] [ibid]
[5] [Muslim #490 Book of Salah, Chapter 44. The Limbs Of Prostration]
[6] [Faidhul Baari wa Ta’leequhu Vol.2 Pg.34 & 37, Kanzul Mutawaari Vol.4 Pg.76-77]
[7] [See Fathul Mulhim Vol.4 Pg.96]
[8] [Mirqaat Vol.2 Pg.439]
[9] [Maqaalaat Pg. 205 Darul Ahnaaf]
[10][Vol.5 Pg.278]
[11] [Ibn Abi Shaibah in ‘Musannaf’ #7950 Vol.5 Pg.283 Hafiz E’raqi said, “It’s a Mursal with an authentic chain.” See Fathul Mulhim’ Vol.4 Pg.97]
[12] [Manhal Azb Mawrood Vol.5 Pg.43, Also see: Lakhnawi in ‘Ghayatul Maqaal’ Pg.21-22, Mufti Taqi Usmani in ‘Darse Tirmithi Vol.2 Pg.163]
[13] [See: Maqaalatul Kawthari Pg.205 & 209, Ma’aarifus Sunan Vol.4 Pg.6]
[14] [Bukhari #828 Book of Athaan, Chapter 145]
[15] [See: ‘Faidhul Baari’ Vol.2 Pg.35 Also see: ‘Al-Manhal Azb Mawrood’ Vol.5 Pg.42]
[16] [Abu Dawud #650 The Book of Salat (The Prayer) Chapter 88. Praying In Sandals]
[17] [Ma’aarifus Sunan Vol.4 Pg.6]
[18] [The great muhaddith Khalil Ahmed Saharunpuri in ‘Bazlul Majhood’ Vol.3 Pg.599, Imam Zafar Usmani in ‘E’laaus Sunan’ Vol.5 Pg.190 Allamah Shabbir Ahmed Usmani in ‘Fathul Mulhim’ Vol.4 Pg.98 and Allamah Zahid Kawthari in ‘Maqaalaat’ Pg.205-206 Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani in ‘Darse Tirmithi’ Vol.2 Pg.163 Mulla Ali Qari in Mirqaat Vol.2 Pg.439]
[19] [Abu Dawud #455 Book of Salah, Chapter 13]
[20] [See: Ubbi in ‘Al-Ikmaal’ Vol.2 Pg.251, Sanusi in ‘Al-Mukammil’ Vol.2 Pg.251, ‘Ghamzu U’yoonil Bassair’ by Hamawi Vol.4 Pg.64, ‘Fatawa Hindiyyah’ Vol.5 Pg.321’, ‘Raddul Muhtaar’ Vol.2 Pg.518, ‘Maqaalatul Kawthari’ Pg.212, ‘E’laaus Sunan’ Vol.5 Pg.190, ‘Fatawa Mahmoodiyah’ Vol.11 Pg.118, ‘Darse Tirmithi’ Vol.2 Pg.164]
[21] [See: Tuhfatul Almai’ by Mufti Saeed Ahmed Palanpuri Vol.2 Pg.235]
Further references:
Fatawa Darul Uloom Zakariya Vol.2 Pg.601-604
Fatawa Mahmoodiyah Vol.11 Pg.117-119
Aap Ke Masaail Aur Unka Hall Vol.3 Pg.328-330
