What is the ruling on wiping over socks that do not cover the ankles? And what is the ruling on wiping over thin socks? المسح على جوارب لا تغطي الكعبين

Praise be to Allah, and may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family and his companions.

As to what follows:

In response to your question, we say, and with Allah Almighty lies all success:

It is not a condition for the socks that cover the foot – according to the correct scholarly opinion – to be covering all parts of the foot completely, rather they should cover most of the foot. Meaning that most of the foot should be covered even if part of it is exposed. For example, due to the sock being short, or because the sock has a hole in it, or it is ripped. So all of this (mentioned above), does not affect the soundness of wiping over it – according to the correct opinion. And Allah Almighty has said in the verse of wudhu:

“O you who believe, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and your feet…” [Al-Ma’idah 5:6]

And in another recitation: “arjulikum” – rather than “arjulakum” – “your feet”.  So one wipes over the foot if it is covered. And it is not necessary for the covering to completely close up the foot, covering it completely, whereby nothing of it is left apparent. Therefore, if the sock was lower than the ankles or had some tears in it, there is nothing wrong with wiping over it. Likewise, if it was thin, there is nothing wrong with wiping over it, because it is covering the foot. And the obligation (in wudhu) for the foot, if it is covered, is to wipe over it. There is no evidence for the condition of thickness, or of a binding covering in which no part of the foot is left apparent. Hence, if the sock was thin and had some tears in it whereby the colour of the skin was left apparent, one wipes over it – for the lack of evidence prohibiting such.

And Allah knows best.