Praying in Shoes: An Islamic Perspective
Introduction
A frequently asked question among Muslims is whether it is permissible to perform salah (prayer) while wearing shoes. This topic is rooted in the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and has been a subject of discussion among scholars across the major schools of Islamic jurisprudence. The evidence from authentic hadiths clearly establishes that praying in shoes is allowed under certain conditions, primarily that the shoes must be free from any impurity (najasa). In this article, we will examine the relevant authentic narrations, scholarly opinions from the four Sunni madhabs, and the reasons behind the varying practices we observe today.
Evidence from Authentic Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ prayed while wearing shoes on multiple occasions, setting a clear precedent for his followers. Here are some key authentic narrations:
-
From Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him):
He was asked, “Did the Prophet ﷺ pray wearing shoes?” He replied, “Yes.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 386; Sahih Muslim 555) -
The Incident of Impurity:
Abu Sa’id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: While the Prophet ﷺ was leading his companions in prayer wearing his shoes, he removed them during the prayer. The companions followed suit. After completing the prayer, he asked why they had removed their shoes. They replied that they saw him do so. He explained, “Jibril came to me and informed me that there was some dirt (impurity) on them, so I removed them.” Then he said, “When one of you comes to the mosque, let him look at his shoes; if he sees any dirt on them, let him wipe them off and then pray in them.”
(Sunan Abu Dawud 650; graded sahih by al-Albani) -
Differing from the Jews:
Shaddad ibn Aws (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Act differently from the Jews, for they do not pray in their sandals nor in their shoes.”
(Sunan Abu Dawud 652; graded sahih by al-Albani)
These hadiths confirm that the Prophet ﷺ and his companions prayed in shoes when they were clean, with the primary concern being the avoidance of impurity.
 |
| Praying in Shoes: An Islamic Perspective |
Scholarly Opinions Across the Four Madhabs
All four major Sunni schools of thought—Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali—agree that praying in shoes is permissible if they are free from impurity. However, preferences may vary due to considerations of cleanliness, reverence, and modern mosque practices.
-
Hanafi School: It is permissible to pray in shoes if they are clean. However, removing them is preferred (mustahabb) for greater reverence and to ensure the prayer area remains pure.
-
Shafi’i School: Praying in shoes is permissible under the condition of cleanliness. Removing shoes is generally recommended to maintain the sanctity of the prayer space.
-
Maliki School: Fully permissible if clean, with strong emphasis on following the Prophet’s ﷺ example directly.
-
Hanbali School: It is permissible and even encouraged in some contexts as a Sunnah, especially to differentiate from non-Muslims, provided there is no impurity.
Scholars from all madhabs emphasize that dirt or najasa invalidates the prayer if present on the shoes, and wiping off visible dirt is sufficient in many cases.
 |
| Praying in Shoes: An Islamic Perspective |
Why Is Removing Shoes the Common Practice Today?
The shift toward removing shoes in mosques evolved over time due to several practical reasons:
-
Evolution of Mosque Design: In the Prophet’s ﷺ era, mosque floors were simple earth or sand, making it easy to keep clean. Modern mosques, however, often have carpets, making it preferable to remove shoes to avoid tracking in dust or potential impurities.
-
Maintaining Cleanliness: Even if shoes appear clean, urban environments increase the risk of hidden dirt. Removing shoes ensures the prayer area remains pristine.
-
Cultural and Communal Respect: It has become a norm to show reverence by praying barefoot, similar to practices in many places of worship worldwide.
Despite these modern practices, praying in clean shoes remains permissible in Islam and can be a revived Sunnah, especially outdoors or in non-carpeted spaces.
Conclusion
Praying while wearing shoes is permissible in Islam, as evidenced by the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, provided the shoes are clean and free from impurity. All major schools of thought affirm this ruling, though removing shoes is widely preferred today for practical reasons.
Reviving this Sunnah in appropriate settings—such as outdoor prayers or when shoes are verifiably clean—can be rewarding. Ultimately, the essence of salah lies in sincerity, humility, and focus on Allah, regardless of whether shoes are worn or removed.
May Allah accept our prayers and guide us to follow the Sunnah in the best way. Ameen.
رَبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا
“My Lord, increase me in knowledge.”
(Qur’an 20:114)
اَللّٰهُمَّ أَرِنَا الْحَقَّ حَقًّا وَارْزُقْنَا اتِّبَاعَهُ،
وَأَرِنَا الْبَاطِلَ بَاطِلًا وَارْزُقْنَا اجْتِنَابَهُ،
وَلَا تَجْعَلْهُ مُلْتَبِسًا عَلَيْنَا فَنَضِلَّ
“O Allah, show us the truth as truth and grant us the ability to follow it. Show us falsehood as falsehood and grant us the ability to avoid it. Do not make it unclear to us, lest we go astray.”
اللّٰهُمَّ اجْعَلْنَا مِنَ الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ كَمَا أَمَرْتَ،
وَكَمَا صَلَّى نَبِيُّنَا مُحَمَّدٌ ﷺ
وَارْزُقْنَا الْخُشُوعَ وَالْإِخْلَاصَ فِي الْعِبَادَةِ.
🌸 Jazakumullahu Khayran for reading.
🌙 May peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you.
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ
✍️ Written By:
Rizwan Ibn Ali Abdullah
Student of Islam and Science | Researcher | Thinker | Against Sectarianism |
Reviving Ummah | Qur'an and Sunnah
© 2019– Rizwan Ibn Ali Abdullah. All Rights Reserved.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment