In this ongoing series titled “Clothing from the Perspective of Islam,” last week we discussed one topic: footwear — what Islam says about wearing shoes.
We explained that shoes should not be considered something disgraceful or filthy, but rather they should be considered a type of clothing. Just like if other clothing becomes dirty we wash it, similarly if shoes become dirty we should clean them. That is all.
Shoes are not something disgusting or contemptible. This is the understanding that Islam teaches. Last week we examined this to some extent.
The Prophetﷺ ﷺ prayed while wearing shoes.
If you say this to many people of other religions, they will not accept it. They will ask: “How can someone perform worship while wearing shoes?”
Leave aside praying with shoes — in most religions, you cannot even enter the place of worship wearing shoes. In almost every place of worship there will be arrangements outside to remove shoes. Sometimes there will even be a guard to watch the shoes.
Why is this done? Because they believe that wearing shoes inside the place of worship is wrong.
But there is a hadith in Sahih Bukhari (386).
A man asked Anas (RA): “Did the Prophetﷺ ﷺ pray while wearing shoes?”
Anas was the servant who stayed very close to the Prophetﷺ ﷺ and knew his practices very well.
A Tabi‘i named Sa‘id ibn Yazid asked him: “Did the Prophetﷺ ﷺ pray wearing shoes?”
Anas replied: “Yes.”
The Prophetﷺ ﷺ prayed wearing shoes.
So if the Messenger of Allahﷻ ﷺ prayed wearing shoes, that means shoes are not something impure by themselves. If necessary, one may wear shoes while praying.
In those days the ground of the mosque was bare earth. Because the ground was soil, praying with shoes was easy and natural. But today many mosques have marble floors or carpets. If shoes are worn there, dirt from the shoes could accumulate and make the place dirty.
In the time of the Prophetﷺ ﷺ the floor of the mosque was soil, and even the foreheads of people would touch the earth during prostration. Therefore, we can understand that the Prophetﷺ ﷺ prayed with shoes in that environment.
However, we also have many prayers that are performed outside the mosque, such as the Eid prayer.
During Eid prayer there are large crowds. People leave their shoes somewhere and then after the prayer they become confused about where they placed them. Sometimes they cannot find them. Sometimes other people step on them and damage them. Someone may bring a brand-new pair of shoes and by the end of the prayer they may be trampled and ruined.
To avoid such inconvenience, when people gather for Eid prayer in an open field, it is permissible to pray while wearing shoes. But one must first check whether there is impurity on the shoes.
Similarly, during Janazah prayer large crowds gather. People remove their shoes, place them somewhere, pray, and then spend time searching for their shoes afterward. This causes inconvenience.
For situations like these, the Prophetﷺ ﷺ demonstrated that praying with shoes is permissible.
The Prophetﷺ ﷺ did not always pray wearing shoes. Sometimes he prayed with shoes and sometimes without them. Wearing shoes in prayer is not obligatory, but it is permissible when needed.
Where can this be practiced appropriately?
If you are praying in open land, soil areas, or during travel, such as when you stop your car somewhere and pray, there is no need to remove your shoes. If you remove them someone might take them away. So it is easier to simply pray wearing them.
You can perform ruku‘ and sujud while wearing shoes. The Prophetﷺ ﷺ himself did it, so there is no doubt about its permissibility.
There is another narration reported by Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri in Musnad Ahmad.
One day the Prophetﷺ ﷺ was leading prayer. During the prayer he suddenly removed his shoes and placed them to his left. The companions behind him saw this and assumed that a new ruling had come prohibiting shoes during prayer. So, all of them removed their shoes.
After the prayer the Prophetﷺ ﷺ asked them: “Why did you remove your shoes?”
They replied: “We saw you remove yours.”
The Prophetﷺ ﷺ explained: “Jibreel informed me that there was impurity on my shoes.”
Therefore, he removed them.
If impurity is on the shoes, they must be removed
From this we learn that if impurity is on the shoes, they must be removed, just like one cannot pray wearing impure clothing.
Then the Prophetﷺ ﷺ said: “When any of you comes to the mosque, he should check his shoes. If he finds impurity on them, he should wipe them on the ground and then pray in them.”
This shows that the Prophetﷺ ﷺ and the companions prayed in the mosque wearing shoes when they were clean. So when praying in open areas like Eid prayer or Janazah prayer, you should simply check your shoes, and if there is dried impurity you can wipe it off on the ground.
However, in modern mosques with carpets the administration will not allow shoes inside because dirt from the shoes would spoil the carpets. So we must consider the environment.
The Prophetﷺ ﷺ did not always pray with shoes. He only showed that it is permissible.
Therefore we should wear shoes in prayer only in situations where it causes no harm, and avoid it where it would create problems.
In fact, a person should try at least once in his life to pray wearing shoes — simply to break the idea that it is forbidden or impure.
There is a hadith in Abu Dawud: “Be different from the Jews.”
The Jews do not pray wearing shoes or socks. They consider it improper.
So, the Prophetﷺ ﷺ said to differ from them. This does not mean we must always pray with shoes. The Prophetﷺ ﷺ himself did not always do so. But occasionally doing it shows that there is no sanctity that forbids shoes.
This narration is reported in Abu Dawud, Ahmad, and Hakim.
This idea is not something newly invented. Many scholars have discussed it.
Almost all scholars except Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal said it is permissible to pray wearing shoes.
Scholars such as:
- Hasan al-Basri
- Ibn Sirin
- Ibrahim al-Nakha‘i
- Sufyan al-Thawri
- Abu Hanifa
- Malik
- Shafi‘i
All said there is no problem with praying wearing shoes.
Many people today may feel surprised hearing this and think it is a new idea. But it is not new; it was known in early Islam but gradually forgotten.
Muslims of earlier generations considered shoes simply as another form of clothing. If the clothing is clean, one can pray wearing it. If it is dirty, it should be cleaned.
The same principle applies to shoes.
Therefore shoes should not be treated as something disgraceful.
Wearing shoes while standing
There is another hadith saying “Do not wear shoes while standing.”
This narration exists in several books.
But most people today wear shoes while standing. About 95% of people do so because it is convenient.
When scholars analyzed the hadith, they found two types of narration:
- Some narrations attribute the statement to the Prophetﷺ ﷺ
- Many narrations show it as the statement of Abu Huraira himself
Hadith scholars such as Daraqutni examined the chains and concluded that this statement is actually Abu Huraira’s opinion, not a statement of the Prophetﷺ ﷺ.
Even if someone assumes the Prophetﷺ ﷺ said it, scholars explain that the shoes in those days were open sandals that had to be tied with straps. To tie them properly one needed to sit down.
Standing while tying them would be difficult.
Modern shoes are different; most can be slipped on easily.
So, the narration does not apply in the same way today. But since the stronger conclusion is that it is Abu Huraira’s statement, there is no issue.
The Sunnah manner of wearing shoes
The Prophetﷺ ﷺ also taught an etiquette regarding shoes.
When wearing shoes:
- Start with the right foot first
- Then the left foot
When removing shoes:
- Remove the left foot first
- Then the right foot
This is mentioned in Sahih Bukhari (5856).
The Prophetﷺ ﷺ said: “When any of you wears shoes, let him begin with the right. When removing them, let him begin with the left.”
Thus, the right foot should be the first to be honored when wearing shoes, and the last to be removed. This may seem like a small matter, but following these Sunnahs carries reward.
Usually people pay attention to using the right hand when giving something, but when wearing shoes they do it randomly without noticing.
However, since this is a Sunnah, we should try to observe it consciously.
Likewise, suppose you are wearing shoes and walking, and suddenly one shoe strap breaks. What do people usually do in such a situation? They keep wearing the remaining shoe and continue walking with one shoe on and the other off. But walking with only one shoe is prohibited.
The Prophetﷺ ﷺ instructed that if such a thing happens, do not walk with one shoe. Either wear both shoes or remove both of them.
This is mentioned in Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5856.
The Prophetﷺ ﷺ said: “None of you should walk wearing only one shoe. Either he should wear both shoes or remove both of them.”
So, if one shoe breaks, the correct practice is to remove the other shoe as well.
There is another narration in Sahih Muslim that says: If the strap of one shoe breaks, do not walk with the other shoe alone until the broken one is fixed.
If possible, sit down and repair it immediately. If it cannot be fixed right away, then it is better to walk barefoot rather than walk wearing only one shoe. Walking with one shoe is not good. From a scientific and physical perspective, it can even cause harm.
Why? Because when you wear only one shoe, the balance of the body becomes uneven. One foot will be higher and the other lower. If you walk like that for a long distance, it can affect the spine and the spinal discs.
Doctors explain that imbalance in walking can lead to spinal problems.
Shoes are designed so that both sides are equal. Manufacturers do not make one shoe bigger and one smaller. Both shoes are produced with the same height, thickness, and weight.
That is why people use the expression: “Like one shoe matching the other.” Shoes are always produced in perfect pairs.
Therefore, walking with only one shoe goes against the balance intended in their design, and that is why Islam discouraged it.
Social customs regarding shoes
Another issue relates to social customs regarding shoes.
In some places people believe that if an important person or leader is walking ahead, you should not walk wearing shoes behind him. In some villages, if a respected leader walks ahead, the person following him may carry his shoes in his hands and walk barefoot behind him. Only after passing him will he wear the shoes again.
Why? Because they think it is disrespectful to walk with shoes in front of a dignitary.
Such beliefs exist in many rural areas, and even some people in cities still follow this practice.
But in Islam this idea has no basis.
Shoes are simply a form of clothing, just like a shirt. Just as a shirt is clothing, shoes are also clothing.
Therefore, regardless of whether a person is a leader or an important figure, there is no problem walking wearing shoes in front of him.
Some people think: “If a respected person comes, we should remove our shoes.”
But think about it:
We stand before Allahﷻ Himself while wearing shoes in certain situations. If it is permissible in front of Allahﷻ , why would it be wrong before a human being?
There is a hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari (1149) related to the Mi‘raj (the Ascension).
When the Prophetﷺ ﷺ was taken on the night journey and ascended through the heavens, Allahﷻ showed him many scenes — events that happened in the world and events that would occur in the future. Among the scenes shown to him was one concerning Bilal (RA), the mu’adhdhin. The Prophetﷺ ﷺ saw Bilal walking in Paradise ahead of him.
In that vision, Bilal was walking wearing shoes, and the Prophetﷺ ﷺ could hear the sound of Bilal’s footsteps and his shoes in Paradise.
The next morning the Prophetﷺ ﷺ called Bilal and asked: “Bilal, tell me about the most virtuous deed you have done in your life.”
He explained why he was asking:
“I saw you in Paradise ahead of me, and I heard the sound of your footsteps.”
Bilal replied: “I have not done anything extraordinary. But whenever I perform ablution (wudu), I make sure to pray two rak‘ahs after it — whether during the day or night. Whenever I make wudu, I do not leave without praying two rak‘ahs.”
The Prophetﷺ ﷺ said: “That may be the reason.”
Now think about this.
Bilal was shown walking ahead of the Prophetﷺ ﷺ in Paradise wearing shoes.
If wearing shoes ahead of the Prophetﷺ ﷺ were disrespectful, Allahﷻ would not have shown him that way.
But he was shown walking with shoes ahead of the Prophetﷺ ﷺ, demonstrating that such an act does not constitute disrespect in Islam.
Buying footwears for Quality or Showing-off
Another matter related to shoes is buying good shoes. Some people think that spending money on shoes is wasteful. But that is not correct.
Sometimes when someone buys a shoe worth ₹1000 or ₹2000, people criticize him: “Look at him! So many people do not even have proper clothes, yet he spends money on shoes!”
But this thinking is wrong. If Allahﷻ has provided him with wealth and he buys good shoes from halal earnings, there is nothing wrong with that.
There is famous hadith in which the Prophetﷺ ﷺ said: “Whoever has even a mustard seed of arrogance in his heart will not enter Paradise.”
A man then asked: “O Messenger of Allahﷻ , a person likes his clothes to be beautiful and his shoes to be beautiful — is that arrogance?”
The Prophetﷺ ﷺ replied: “Allahﷻ is beautiful and loves beauty.”
Arrogance is rejecting the truth and looking down upon others, not wearing good clothes or shoes.
So if a person buys attractive or high-quality shoes, that is not arrogance.
But he must not think that others are inferior because of it. If Allahﷻ has blessed you with wealth, you may buy good shoes.
There is even a hadith encouraging people to own multiple pairs of shoes.
This narration is reported in Sahih Muslim.
The Prophetﷺ ﷺ said that if a person owns many pairs of shoes, it is as though he is riding an animal (like a mount).
Meaning: wearing shoes gives a person comfort and dignity, similar to traveling with a mount instead of walking barefoot.
Therefore the Prophetﷺ ﷺ said that if possible, keep multiple pairs of shoes.
In earlier times many people owned only one garment, yet the Prophetﷺ ﷺ still encouraged having more than one pair of shoes.
So today it is perfectly fine to have different shoes for different purposes:
- One pair for meetings
- One pair for the mosque
- One pair for travel
- One pair for the bathroom
- One pair for inside the house
Keeping several pairs is not wrong. If you think of it as following the permitted Sunnah, it even becomes rewardable.
Using shoes for other purposes
Another issue concerns using shoes for other purposes. Sometimes we may step on something dirty with our shoes. Or sometimes we may use shoes to push away dirt or impurities, or even to strike something harmful.
Can shoes be used like that? Yes, they can.
There is a narration in Sahih Muslim from Abdullah ibn Shaqir, who said: “I prayed with the Messenger of Allahﷻ ﷺ. During the prayer, the Prophetﷺ spat out some phlegm and then used his shoe to wipe it away.”
He did this so that others would not step on it.
This shows that shoes may be used for cleaning impurities or pushing away dirt when necessary.
Another question arises: Since shoes often step on dirty ground — sewage, dirt, or filth — must they always be washed with water?
Many people think that if shoes touch impurity, they must be washed thoroughly with water and soap. But that is not necessary. If you step on impurity and then walk on clean ground, the clean soil itself can remove the impurity.
There is a narration in Abu Dawud.
Umm Salamah (RA) asked the Prophetﷺ ﷺ: “O Messenger of Allahﷻ , I sometimes walk through a dirty place.”
The Prophetﷺ ﷺ asked: “Is there clean ground afterward?”
She replied yes.
The Prophetﷺ ﷺ said: “The clean ground will purify it.”
Meaning: walking on clean soil cleans the shoe.
There is another hadith where the Prophetﷺ ﷺ said:
If one of you steps on impurity with his shoes, the soil will purify it.
This was also practical in those times because shoes were often made of leather and stitching and washing them repeatedly with water would damage them quickly.
So, Islam gave ease in this matter.
If impurity touches the shoe:
- Wipe it on the ground
- Walk on clean soil
and it becomes clean.
There is no need to develop unnecessary scrupulous doubts (waswasa) about washing them repeatedly. These are some of the Islamic rulings and etiquettes related to shoes. There are still more rulings related to footwear, and insha’Allahﷻ we will discuss them in the upcoming posts.