What conditions must be met for wiping over leather socks (khuff) that are cut or too short (maqtou')?
Chapter on Wiping over the Khuffayn (Leather Socks)
Al-Mughni
Book of Purification
Primary text
The meaning of the text referring to the cut item is that it substitutes for the khuff in covering the area of obligation (the foot up to the ankle) and allowing for continued walking while remaining securely in place on its own. A cut khuff refers to one whose shaft is short. Wiping is only permissible upon it if it covers the area of obligation such that the ankles are not visible, either because the item is tight or securely tied. This view is held by Al-Shafi'i and Abu Thawr. If the cut is below the ankles, wiping is not permissible upon it.
Supporting text
This stricter condition (requiring full coverage of the mandated area) is the correct position reported from Malik. A view is narrated from Malik and Al-Awza'i that wiping is permissible simply because it is a khuff upon which one can continuously walk, thus resembling a covering item. The rebuttal is that it does not cover the area of obligation, thus resembling sandals or simple soles (al-lalakah and al-na'layn).