What is the ruling on wiping over socks without shoes (Na'lain)?
Chapter on Wiping over the Khuffayn (Leather Socks)
Al-Mughni
Book of Purification
Primary text
Wiping over socks without shoes is permissible. Evidence for this is the tradition where Al-Mughirah ibn Shu'bah narrated that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) wiped over socks and sandals (Na'lain). Al-Tirmidhi deemed this hadith Hasan Sahih. This indicates the sandals were worn over the socks, not that the wiping was over a sock that had a sole sewn onto it, as one would not mention wiping over a shoe and its sole. Furthermore, the wiping of socks by the Companions without any known opposition in their era suggests consensus (Ijma). A sock meets the requirements for wiping as it covers the area of obligation and remains fixed to the foot, analogous to a sandal.
Supporting text
Abu Hanifa, Malik, Al-Awza'i, Mujahid, and Al-Shafi'i maintain that wiping over socks is not permissible unless shoes are worn over them, based on the reasoning that socks generally do not allow continuous walking, similar to thin socks. We counter this by stipulating that for wiping to be valid, the sock must be self-supporting and allow walking; thin socks are not considered covering.