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 “ –

General Manager

MIS Distributors

Answer

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

********

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)

Alexander Harris has set a new record for what has become known as the toughest race in South Africa, the Freedom Challenge. He finished the race in a time of 12 days, 15 hours and 30 minutes. Bicycling caught up with him the morning after he crossed the finish line…

Copyright - Trevor Ball

The Freedom Challenge is a 2300 km mountain bike race, non stop and unassisted, which starts in Pietermaritzburg in mid-June every year and ends in Wellington outside Cape Town. The previous record was set by Tim James in 2009 in a time of 13 days, 15 hours and 50 minutes.

Bicycling: Firstly, tell us a bit about the ride itself. Toughest thing you have ever done?

Alex Harris: Definitely the toughest thing I have ever done on the bike. The conditions were insane. The mud and freezing temperatures made it incredibly hard going but it was an amazing experience.

Bicycling: New record – how do you feel about that?
AH: It’s pretty cool. I didn’t really set out to break the record. I had a time in mind and knew that if I stuck to that I might win, so I planned my strategy around that.

Bicycling: How long have you been riding for?
AH: I’ve been involved in expeditions for 20 years. and to train for those I spend a lot of the time cycling. I have also done a lot of adventure racing over the years. I’m not really a competitive mountain biker but have been racing for about 10 years.

Bicycling: Back to the race itself, did you ride mainly on your own?
AH: I was on my own for about a week and then I caught up to Garth and Ugene eight days into the ride, at about Willowmore. We later dropped Garth and Ugene and I carried on together. Company on this race is a bitter sweet thing, but if the company is right and your strategy is the same, you can work well together. And this can be a very lonely race so the companionship was great.

Bicycling: What was your strategy going in to the race?
AH: The plan was to ride 18 hours in one stretch and then get 5 hours sleep. The problem was the conditions so I couldn’t really stick to that. In the end I was only sleeping about one-and-a-half to two hours a night. A bit mad but it’s what you have to do.

Bicycling: What bike were you riding? Did it live up to the challenge? Any mechanicals?
AH: A Giant 29er. It was dropped from fences, washed away, caked in mud. Basically it got HAMMERED. And it was still going strong at the finish. I had no major issues. My shifter broke but got that fixed, had a couple of broken valves and that’s it.

Bicycling: And the gear?
AH: I wore Cape Storm clothes, and Seal Skinz gloves and socks. Everything stood up to the challenge amazingly. I wore Oakley Jawbones with clear to black transition lenses and considering I rode a lot in the dark they were great.

Copyright - Trevor Ball

Bicycling: What was the toughest part of the ride for you?
AH: Baviaankskloof – in the dark. It had been recently flooded, so it took me 6 hours to cover 10km. That was a 25hour day. It was a carnage wasteland of debris and you could have easily gotten seriously injured. Was madness.

Bicycling: Any memorable moments?
AH: Too soon to ask. There are so many and I haven’t had time to reflect on it. But having said that, one incident springs to mind. I had a really bad nose bleed at one point and so I stuck a pink Woolies soft gum in my nose to stop the bleeding. It fell out and landed on the ground. It looked like a severed finger lying there next to the fence. I was just imagining what the next rider would think when they saw that!

Bicycling: What was the hospitality like on route?
AH: Fantastic. The farmers welcome the unusual company of riders. A lot of them live in such remote areas and really put on a show. The meals were fantastic.

Bicycling: Where does that drive come from?
AH: My faith as a Christian. This is my purpose in life. To push your boundaries. The things I do are directly linked to my faith.

Bicycling: Will you do it again next year?
AH: No! I’m not allowed to. I’ve got a baby on the way. I will definitely do it again but not next year.

Bicycling: What’s your next challenge?
AH: I’m in the process of planning to cross the Arabian desert on foot. The Freedom Challenge was actually a training ride to get in to shape for the desert expedition in January next year.

Bicycling: What are you going to do today?
AH: Eat and sleep, and then eat and sleep some more.

Copyright Trevor Ball

*** inserted from bicycling.co.za : http://bicycling.co.za/articles/freedom-challenge-interview***

Alex has been climbing and mountaineering around the world since 1989 and is one of  South Africa’s most experienced and respected high altitude mountaineers.

He has led more than 25 expeditions, which have taken him to all 7 continents and to the furthest corners of the world, from the jungles of Borneo,  through the arid plains of Tibet, to the frozen wastelands of Antarctica.

In June 2005 he completed the 7 summits by conquering the highest mountain on each continent.

Alex recently won the Freedom Challenge (www.freedomchallenge.org.za) Race Across South Africa mountain bike race through some of the harshest terrain in peak Winter.

For more on Alex check out his website on www.alexharris.co.za

I would like to believe that I have been around the block a few times.

I love gadgets and gimmicks, but because of my experience I can very easily see what will work, what does not stand a chance to be successful on the bike and what has potential.

I saw the product show cased at the Comrades 2010.

When I see innovations like water proof socks I am sceptical. My first thoughts were over heated and sweaty feet! My first thought: “Cannot work, at all.”

I came home with business card. I did some research and reading.

I ordered a pair for the Trans-Baviaans Mountain Bike Marathon of 230km.

Since I could still remember how cold and wet my feet were last year. I started testing them out. What a nice surprise.

Grahamstown in the winter gets a little chilly and often wet on my training routes with water crossings.

For the first time I got home at night after training with warm feet! Great!

My advice: Go and buy a pair (or two).

Johan Conradie

Ryan is an up and coming Xterra athlete who has some great achievements under his belt already , most recently being the winner of the Mudman 2010 Series.

Catch up more on this great athlete on www.redmanracing.com/ryan or follow him on Twitter  @ryanredman1985

Look what I got !!!

SealSkinz was formed in 1996 and, from its Norfolk base, specialises in waterproof, windproof and breathable garments for a whole range of applications. As well as the leisure markets they also supply gear to many professional users, like police and military personnel, whose jobs require them to remain warm and dry – hence the heavy duty range.
They came to my attention during a recent show. I was attracted to their exhibition by the offer of putting a sock on my hand and plunging it into a tank of water. I’ll do anything for a laugh but, low and behold, my hand remained dry whilst I moved it up and down in the basin. I found it hard to argue against such a demonstration, so I ordered a range of their products to test them out to the max – which as it turned out was a shrewd move on my part, given the extreme weather that hit after they were delivered.

MID-LIGHT SOCK
Being a cynic, I repeated the test in case the show item was something “special”! I was pleasantly surprised to get the same result so, armed with the knowledge that I wasn’t going to get soaked through, I headed out in the rain and after a day’s motorcycling, I came home with warm, dry feet. Since then, these socks have become my only choice for any day that threatens rain.

The merino wool sock is close fitting and comes up well above the traditional calf length boot top, so is an additional layer of warmth to the lower leg. Although they have the ability to withstand micro-organisms – and the fact I change into ordinary socks for the rest of the day – I find a quick rinse in lukewarm water at the end of every day keeps them fresh, and they dry quickly so are ready for the next day’s use. This makes them ideal for touring when space is at a premium.

I can say that these have become an essential part of my all-weather kit as after a couple of months they are still as good as new, and working as well as they did on day one! I have got to give these a five-star rating!

ULTRA TOUGH GLOVE
These Tactel, full-length gloves fit nicely under the jacket cuff and can be pulled tight around the forearm to prevent drafts. It has to be said that these would not give the same level of protection in the event of a spill as an all-leather glove, but they do keep your  hands warm and dry, which means you do not lose concentration.
They are warm, not too bulky and clip together when not in use, which is a useful feature as you are less likely to lose two! I have to say that, like a lot of modern materials, while they do not look much, they are superb, allowing ease of control – which is of paramount importance. The outer dries quite quickly, even after several hours in the rain. This is very useful as this means they are ready for use the next day.
WINDPROOF SKULL CUP
This is designed to be worn under a helmet and acts as a sanitizer for the lining, as well as preventing heat loss. The stretch garment has a micro-fleece lining and has holes around the ears to aid hearing. I was a little self-conscious when I started wearing it,
but this disappeared when I realised how effective it was in preventing heat loss from my balding dome. One note of caution though! I am fortunate enough to own several helmets and one is a particularly snug fit, meaning I was unable to wear this item with it. However, on the slightly looser fit, it was not a problem.

Easily washable, this is an effective winter riding aid. «

*** Inserted from Private Hire and Courier Mag – www.phcmag.co.uk – Issue 177 – April 2010 – Page 52 ***

I have my new shocking pink Sealskinz gloves… and it is amazing. I really don’t know how people know I like pink… hmmm…. Hmmm…. But I do! So this is my new cycling gadget.

I know I know….you think it will be too hot now to wear… but you are NOT right…

SealSkinz® have a unique seamless three-layer construction – an outer, a waterproof, highly breathable membrane and an inner lining.

1. Inside layer
The inner lining has been specially developed to actively wick moisture away from the skin to increase comfort and warmth and is made from either Coolmax® or Merino wool.
2. Middle layer
The waterproof breathable membrane is inserted using patented technology and allows perspiration, as water vapour, to escape
whilst preventing water coming in. The membrane typically has a breathability of greater than 65% WVP.
3. Outer layer
The outer layer is designed for extra durability and abrasion resistance with stretch-to-fit properties.

So it is perfect for the rainy KZN summer and warm for the chilly winter mornings…

Oh and have I mentioned how comfortable the gloves and the socks? They are incredible…

And it looks cool…. Shocking Pink!

*** inserted from http://www.multigirl.co.za/index.php?sectionID=7&pst=145 ***

SealSkinz Review

At a recent show I was attracted to the SealSkinz stand by the offer of putting a sock on my hand and plunging it into a tank of water. Well anything for a laugh and low and behold a dry hand while moving it up and down the tank.

Apparently Sealskinz is an independent company specialising in waterproof, windproof and breathable garments for a whole range of applications and has been in existence since 1996 based in Norfolk. As well as the leisure markets they also supply many professional users who need to remain warm and dry whatever the conditions like the police and military, hence the heavy duty range.

Hard to argue against such a demonstration so I ordered a pair of their lightweight socks, as most of my boots are a nice tight comfortable fit and the race boots would not stand the thicker, longer boot sock. While I was at it I ordered a pair of their Heavy Duty Cold Weather gloves and an Underwear Cap to combat the cold weather, which as it turned out was shrewd move on my part, given the extreme weather that hit after they all arrived.

Lightweight Sock
Being a cynic, I just had to repeat the test just in case the show item was something special and was pleasantly surprised to get the same result, a totally dry foot. So armed with the certain knowledge that I was going to have dry feet I chose a none Gore-Tex lined pair of boots and headed out into the rain and after a days motorcycling I came home with warm, dry feet.

Since then they have been the only choice on any day that looks like it will rain, because they are very comfortable inside boots as well as giving that insurance policy in case of ageing Gore-Tex lining gives up in the odd area.

The merino wool sock is close fitting and come up well above the traditional calf length boot top so is an additional layer of warmth to the lower leg. Although they have the ability to withstand micro –organisms and the fact I change into ordinary socks for the rest of the day, I find a quick rinse in luke-warm water at the end of every day keeps them fresh and they dry quickly so are ready for the next day’s use which makes them ideal for touring when space is at a premium.

I can say that these have become an essential part of my all weather kit as after a couple of months they are still as good as new and working as well as day one! They come in black only with a blue top band, but I have got to give these a five start rating!

Heavy Duty Cold Weather Glove
These Tactel full length gloves it nicely under the jacket cuff and can be pulled tight around the forearm by a drawstring to prevent drafts.
They have leather palm and Primaloft insulation inside as well as a waterproof membrane. It has to be said that these would not give the same level of protection in the event of a spill as an all leather glove, but they do keep your hands warm and dry, which means you do not lose concentration, so are less like to need protection!

They are warm and not to bulky and clip together when not is use which is useful feature as you are less likely to loose two!

I have to say that like a lot of modern materials that while they do not look much in use they are superb, allowing ease of control which is of paramount importance.

The outer dries quite quickly even after several hours in the rain which is useful and once again means they are ready for use the next day or to go home again. The usual sizing of S,M,L and XL applies for these top quality items.

Under Headwear Cap
This is designed to be worn under a helmet and acts as a sanitizer for the lining as well as preventing heat loss. The stretch garment with has a micro-fleece lining and has holes around the ears to aid hearing.

I have to say that despite being a little self-conscious when I started wearing it, this soon disappeared when I realised how effective it was in preventing heat loss from my balding dome.

One note of caution! I am fortunate enough to several helmets and one is particularly a snug fit and I was unable to wear this item with it, although on the slightly loser fit it was not a problem. Once again easily washable and an effective winter riding aid in four sizes.

All of these are available from SealSkinz

Review by Ian Kerr

*** inserted from http://www.inter-bike.co.uk/reviews-motorcycling/motorcycle-product-reviews/2583-sealskinz-review.html ***