MASAH ON THE KHUF-FAIN (MOZAH)

Masah on the khuf-fain

what is khuf-fain

"Khuf-Fain are a special type of socks, Instead of washing the feet during Wudhu, it is permissible to pass moist hands over such socks.
This is known as Masah Alai Khuffain.

The socks must be strong enough to enable walking in them on roads for approximately three miles without the socks tearing.
The socks should remain in position (covering the foreleg) without being tied. They should not slip. Socks which have elastic sewn into them (to keep them in position) will be regard­ed as being tied.
Water must not be able to seep through.
The socks must not be transparent or even semi-transparent.
Khuffain on which masah is made are general­ly made of leather. The type of socks - woollen, nylon, etc., generally worn nowadays are not classified as "khuffain". It is, therefore, not per­missible to make Masah on them. If socks are made of a material other than leather and the afore-mentioned four requirements are met, Masah will be permissible on them.
It is essential to put on the Khuffain after complete Wudhu has been made.
If the khuffain have been put on before a
complete Wudhu has been made, Masah on them will not be permissible. Firstly, a complete Wudhu has to be made, then only should the Khuffain be put on. Thereafter if Wudhu breaks, it will be permis­sible to make Masah Alai Khuffain without washing the feet when Wudhu is being made.
For a Muqeem (one who is not a traveller - Musaafir) Masah Alai Khuffain is valid for a period of 24 hours.

Musafir

For a Musaafir the period permissible is 72 hours.
The period of 24 or 72 hours will be reckoned from the time the Wudhu (after which the Khuffain were put on) breaks, not from the time the Khuffain were put on.
For Example, a Muqeem makes Wudhu at 6 p.m. and after completing his Wudhu he puts on Khuffain. At 8 p.m. his Wudhu breaks. Twenty-four hours will be reckoned from 8 p.m. Hence, it will be permissible for him to make Masah Alai Khuffain each time he takes Wudhu until 8 p.m. the next day.
Upon expiry of 24 hours, Masah Alai Khuffain will no longer be valid. When the period of (24 hours for the Muqeem and 72 hours for the Musaafir) expires, the Khuffain should be removed and the feet washed. It is not neces­sary to renew the Wudhu.

The method of Masah Alai Khuffain 

Draw the fingures of the right hand on the upper surface of the Khuffain starting from the toes and ending (the Masah) at the foreleg Oust above the ankle). The Masah should be done once only on each sock. The right hand should be used for the right Khuff and the left- hand for the left Khuff
If the back of the hand was used to make the Masah, it will be valid. However, one should not unnecessarily depart rom the correct Sunnah method.
It is not permissible to make Masah on the side or at the under surface of the Khuffain. It is Fardh to make Masah on each sock to the extent of three full fingers, i.e. the full surface area of three fingers must be drawn from the toes to the foreleg.
The following acts will nullify the Masah which was made on the Khuffain:
All things which nullify Wudhu.

Removal of the Khuff (sock).

The expiry of the period, i.e. 24 hours for the Muqeem and 72 hours for the Musaafir.
If only one sock was removed then, too, it is Waajib to remove the other one and wash both feet.
Even if only the foreleg is exposed by lowering the Khuff, it will be regarded as if the whole sock has been removed. It will then be compulsory to remove the Khuffain and wash both feet.
It is not permissible to make Masah on a Khuff which is torn to such an extent that an area equal to the size of three small toes is exposed. It is permissible to make Masah on the sock if it is torn less than this.
If the seam of the Khuff comes loose, but while walking the foot is not exposed, Masah on such Khuffain will be valid.
If a Muqeem who has made Masah Alai Khuffain goes on a journey before the expiry of 24 hours, then his Masah may be extended to 72 hours. His Masah will now be valid for 72 hours.
If a Musaafir who has made Masah Alai Khufain returns to his home town then his Masah will be valid for only 24 hours.
It is permissible to make Masah on ordinary woollen, etc., socks which have been cov­ered with leather.
If Ghusl become compulsory then Masah Alai Khuffain will not be permissible even if the
valid period has not yet expired. The Khuffair must be removed when the Ghusl is taken anc the feet washed.
If after making Masah one sets foot in a pud die of water and water enters the Khuff wet ting more than half the foot, then Masah wil be nullified. Both Khuffain must be removec and the feet washed.