Question:
If a person is praying Salaah & his time of mash ‘alal khuffain ends, will his Salaah break?
Question published as received.
The Fatwa
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
The Answer
If the allowable period for Masḥ ‘Alal Khuffayn matures, Salāh will be nullified immediately.
The Fiqh of the Answer
Imam al-Jaṣṣās (d.370 AH) states in his explanation on the Mukhtasar of Imām Tahawi (d.331 AH) that it will not be permissible for one to continue his Salāh after the time of Masḥ has elapsed.
Imam aṭ-Ṭahṭāwī (d.1231 AH) commenting on this legal ruling, explains that the ritual purity remains intact for the period of time that has elapsed after wearing the Khuff up until the expiration time of the Masḥ, and not post this time. Therefore, one would be obliged to reattain ritual purification and restart the prayer.
It must be noted that upon the expiry of the Masḥ period, one would simply remove the Khuffayn and wash the feet. However, if the time expires in a state where one is not in wudhu, a full ablution would be necessary.
Period(s) of Masḥ:
- The permitted period of Masḥ for a Muqīm (resident) is twenty-four hours.
- The period of Masḥ for a Musāfir (traveller) is for a period of seventy-two hours.
The times stated above begin from the first instance Wudhū is broken after having worn the Khuffayn upon a complete Wudhū.
The Rationale
The Sharī’ah is ever catering for the believer and at times, one may find it difficult to wash the feet due to an absence of a wash basin and/or other facilities. Wiping over leather socks is an alternative for washing the feet in Wudhū and may bring about ease for one at the workplace or one travelling amongst many other circumstances.
Alternatives and substitutes function as substitutes; they are there temporarily and typically help during a particular context. For a resident, a shorter time frame such as twenty-four hours is reasonable, as they typically will have more access to resources and facilities whilst at home, and be in a more comfortable state than a traveller. As such, twenty-fours for the use of the Khuffayn is reasonable. This also facilitates washing the feet daily, adding to personal hygiene.
Whilst travelling, especially in the earlier times, there are always multiple challenges or unpredictable circumstances. The extended allowance to use Khuffayn facilitates ease for the traveller. This can be understood today in international travel with extended layovers, where access to Wudhu facilities is not always available.
And Almighty Allah Alone Knows Best
Maulana Ammar Y Badat
Trainee Mufti
Reviewed and approved by
Mufti Faraz Adam
Darul Iftaa Muadh ibn Jabal
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