What is the ruling when one doubts whether they began wiping over their leather socks (khuff) while traveling or residing?

Chapter on Wiping over the Khuffayn (Leather Socks)

Al-Mughni

Book of Purification

Book 2 · Issue 1 · Bab 11

Open in Qurani

Primary text

If a person doubts whether they initiated wiping over their khuff while traveling or residing, they must proceed based on the ruling for a resident (hadar). This is because wiping is not permissible when there is doubt regarding its permissibility (iwazah). If, afterwards, the person remembers they had initiated wiping while traveling, then proceeding based on the traveler's wiping is valid. If a person performed prayer while in this state of doubt concerning the obligation of the wiping duration (one day and night), and later realized the true status, they must repeat those prayers performed during the doubt. This is because they prayed with a state of purification that was not permissible for them at that time, similar to one who prays believing they are in a state of minor impurity, and later remembers they were in a state of ritual purity (wudu) after all; the purification was valid, but the prayer must be repeated. However, the act of wiping itself, performed during the doubt, is valid because purification is sound even with doubt regarding its underlying cause. This is evidenced by the case where one doubts about having an impurity, performs wudu intending to remove impurity, and later confirms they were indeed impure; the wudu suffices.

Supporting text

The opposite is true for doubting the entrance of the prescribed time for prayer; if one prays while doubting the time has entered, and later confirms it had entered, the prayer is invalid. Furthermore, if the wiper doubts the duration of the impurity necessitating the wiping, they should adhere to the more cautious ruling (ahwat) according to their judgment. This entire analysis is based on the first scholarly opinion.