Is it permissible to wear leather socks (khuffayn) while one is actively needing to relieve oneself (defending the two impurities)?

Chapter on Wiping over the Khuffayn (Leather Socks)

Al-Mughni

Book of Purification

Book 2 · Issue 1 · Bab 11

Open in Qurani

Primary text

Imam Ahmad disliked wearing leather socks while one is actively trying to retain urine or feces, or one of them, because performing prayer in such a state of purity (due to distraction) is disliked. The wearing is intended for the purpose of wiping over them for prayer. Ibrahim al-Nakha'i permitted wearing them if one intended to urinate, considering the purification complete, likening it to wearing them out of fear of drowsiness. The dislike stems only from the distraction affecting the requisite reverence (khushu') in prayer and potentially causing haste, not from the act of wearing itself.

Supporting text

The ruling on wearing them while delaying relief is disliked (makruh) due to the attendant lack of full devotion required for complete prayer.