What is the ruling upon removing socks after wiping over them while in a state of Wudu?
Chapter on Wiping over the Khuffayn (Leather Socks)
Al-Mughni
Book of Purification
Primary text
Removing the socks after wiping over them nullifies ablution. This position is held by Al-Nakha'i, Al-Zuhri, Makhul, Al-Awza'i, Ishaq, and constitutes one narration from Al-Shafi'i. The rationale is that the wiping was specific to the feet, and invalidating the object covered invalidates the established purity over that specific limb, similar to how Tayammum is nullified upon seeing water, requiring the original purification (washing the feet).
Supporting text
A second narration from Ahmad, the view of Abu Hanifa, and the second opinion of Al-Shafi'i state that washing the feet suffices. This is based on the permissibility of spacing out the washing of limbs in Wudu; if the other limbs are washed, washing the feet completes the Wudu. Al-Hasan, Qatadah, and Sulayman ibn Harb stated that neither re-ablution nor washing the feet is required because the person removed the covered item after achieving complete purity, similar to shaving the head or clipping nails after washing/wiping them.