Sealskinz Socks As Mozahs / Khuffs
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Question
These are some of the messages that are doing the rounds – together with my responses in bold.
1. “The product is not jaaiz because it is impermissible to kill Seals “ –
(the product is NOT made with any animal skin – only wool is used.)
2. Slms, I received this from Mufti Motara’s son with regards to the seal skinz & reef moza’s:
Some mufti’s have sanctioned it and we respect their views. However, someone took both the Reef and Sealskin socks to India last year and showed it to Mufti Farooq of Meerut, who said that it is not permissible to make masah on these socks. Mufti Farooq asked the opinion of other Mufti’s as well and they all said that it was not permissible. Mufti Khanpuri said that he will not forbid someone from making masah on them but he himself has not used them for masah. Since seeing that Salaah is such an important Ibaadah, it would be advisable to abstain from using these socks for masah especially when so many Mufti’s in India did not approve of it,thus creating a doubt about it’s validity.
3. “Also, because the product is no longer made in UK, it is made in China, thats why the quality isn’t good anymore, hence it is not jaaiz” –
(Sealskinz socks have always been made in the UK and continue to be made in the UK – I have personally visited the factory and made my own sock on the production line. Someone has imported the imitation / fake socks from China and it seems the problem is with those ones)
Wassalaam
General Manager
MIS Distributors
Answer
Assalamu `alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabrakatuh,
I refer to your query of even date.
I spent a considerable amount of time in personally examining Sealskinz Socks to ensure that the socks represent the criteria set down by our Illustrious Fuqha for the validity of making masah on leather socks.
My fatwa is only on the sealskinz product distributed by MIS Distributors. I did not see the Reef socks or imitation product of the sealskinz from China.
I confirm having reviewed my previous fatwa on sealskinz and still maintain the same view.
Attached in my previous fatwa.
Muft? Ebrahim Desai
Daruliftaa
35 Candella Rd, Durban, South Africa
www.daruliftaa.net
http://daruliftaa.net/fiqhresearch/View-document-details/Masah-on-Socks.html
Q: Recently a new sock called SealSkinz has come into the market. These socks are essentially made for those involved in outdoor activities such as hunting, mountain climbing, etc., and therefore they are quite strong. Furthermore, these socks are totally waterproof. Is it permissible to make masah on such socks during wudhu?
A: In order for it to be permissible to wipe on nonleather socks, it is imperative that the sock fulfils all the conditions of leather socks. After thoroughly studying the inherent qualities of leather socks, our illustrious Fuqaha ruled that non-leather socks should resemble leather socks in the following:
1. They should entirely cover both the ankles.
2. They should be durable enough that a person can travel and walk with the sock for three miles without them tearing.
3. Both socks should independently be free from holes to the extent of three small toes.
4. The socks should remain on the leg without it being tied or fastened.
5. They should be such that water does not seep through them.
(Noor al Idha (1/47, Yasir Nadeem), Hashiyyah at-Tahtawi ala Durr il mukhtaar (1/137, Al Maktabah al Arabiyyah, Tawaali al anwaar Q 94/Alif, Makhtoot: Al Maktabah al Azhar)
We have personally examined ‘SealSkinz’ socks and are satisfied that they fulfill all the above-mentioned conditions. One can refer to their website to see the full durability of these socks. Hence, it is permissible to use ‘SealSkinz’ socks as leather socks and make masah on them.
(extracted from Al-Mahmood – Dec 2008 – the newsletter of the Darul Ifta Department of Madressa Inaamiyyah - Camperdown – KZN)
Download the full fatwa here – Fatwa – Masah On Sealskinz Socks
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Q & A with Mufti A.H Elias
http://www.alislam.co.za/cms/questions/question-5666/
Question
Assalamualaykum Mufti, Many Ulama have made permissible Sealskinz socks(http://sealskinz.co.za) for use as Khuffain,Can this be on all hiking/hardwearing socks ect,Do they have to meet certain conditions,Do they have to be waterproof,Are other materials besides leather acceptable Jazakallah
Answer
SealsKinz socks are in the order of Khuffain.
We do not know of the others.
And Allah Knows Best
Mufti Elias (May Allah Protect him)
http://www.alislam.co.za/cms/questions/question-4248/
Question
As Salaamu Alaikum Mufti, I have heard of a new sock called Sealskinz that is waterproof. Can this sock be used as a mozah ? I have seen people making masah on these socks in wudhu. Please advise
Answer
I have seen it.
It can be used as a Mozah.
Advice: Because it looks just like a sock try not to make Wudhu is the Wudhu area of the Masjid.
And Allah Knows Best
Mufti Elias (May Allah Protect him)
