Is washing the leather socks (khuff) valid as a substitute for wiping them during ablution?
Chapter on Wiping over the Khuffayn (Leather Socks)
Al-Mughni
Book of Purification
Primary text
The ruling regarding washing the leather socks instead of wiping them is subject to scholarly disagreement. Ahmad (ibn Hanbal) refrained from issuing a definitive ruling on this. Ibn Hamid permitted it, holding that washing is more effective than wiping. This action is permitted because washing is a more thorough act than wiping.
Supporting text
Al-Qadi ruled that washing the socks is not sufficient because the prescribed act is wiping, and it was not performed. This is analogous to someone throwing dust on their face and hands during tayammum (dry ablution) without performing the actual wiping motions. However, if a person sweeps their hands over the socks during the act of washing or immediately after, it is sufficient because wiping has then been accomplished.