1/61. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 157 — Wiping Socks: Traveller and Resident Time Limits
The Period (Allowed) For Wiping
Hadith About Wiping Over Socks Time Limit
Sunan Abi Dawud : 157
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 157
حَدَّثَنَا حَفْصُ بْنُ عُمَرَ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنِ الْحَكَمِ، وَحَمَّادٍ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْجَدَلِيِّ، عَنْ خُزَيْمَةَ بْنِ ثَابِتٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " الْمَسْحُ عَلَى الْخُفَّيْنِ لِلْمُسَافِرِ ثَلاَثَةُ أَيَّامٍ وَلِلْمُقِيمِ يَوْمٌ وَلَيْلَةٌ " . قَالَ أَبُو دَاوُدَ رَوَاهُ مَنْصُورُ بْنُ الْمُعْتَمِرِ عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ التَّيْمِيِّ بِإِسْنَادِهِ قَالَ فِيهِ وَلَوِ اسْتَزَدْنَاهُ لَزَادَنَا .
Khuzaimah bin Thabit Narrated from:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: The time limit for wiping over the socks for a traveller is three days (and three nights) and for a resident it is one day and one night. Abu Dawud said: Another version adds: Had we requested him to extend (the period of wiping), he would have extended.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 157In-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 157English translation : Book 1, Hadith 157
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 157
This hadith about wiping over socks time limit gives a direct rule in the wording of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم). Khuzaymah ibn Thabit narrated that the time limit for wiping over the socks is three days and nights for a traveller, and one day and one night for a resident. Abu Dawud also mentions another version that says if they had requested an extension, he would have extended it. The main teaching is the time difference between travel and residence. For people searching how long can you wipe over socks in wudu, this narration gives the exact periods stated in the text. A safe explanation should not go beyond those words. It should simply show the two categories: traveller and resident, with their stated time limits.
What we learn from this hadith
- A traveller is given three days and nights for wiping over socks.
- A resident is given one day and one night.
- The hadith states a clear difference between travel and residence.
- The added version mentions a possible extension if it had been requested.
