How is wiping over the khuffs performed and what are its conditions?

Khuff refers to a type of footwear that covers the feet along with the ankles and meets certain criteria.

The conditions for the permissibility of wiping over the khuffs are as follows:

a) The khuffs must be put on after performing ablution in which the feet were washed,

b) They must be durable enough to allow walking approximately 5 km or more in them under normal conditions,

c) The khuffs must be sturdy and thick enough to stay on the feet without being tied after being worn,

d) Each khuff must not have a hole as wide as three times the width of the smallest toe,

e) They must not absorb water and immediately transmit it to the feet.

Wiping (masḥ) is a form of ritual purification; in ablution, it is performed by passing a wet hand over a body part, over the khuffs worn on the feet, or over a bandage wrapped on a wound; in tayammum, it is done by passing a hand that has touched earth over the face and arms.

Wiping over the khuffs during ablution is established by the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Indeed, there are many reports stating that the Prophet (peace be upon him) performed ablution and wiped over his khuffs. (Bukhari, Wudu’, 35, 48 [182, 202]; Muslim, Taharah, 72-73 [272-273])

A person who puts on khuffs while in a state of ablution may wipe over them for one day if resident, and for three days if traveling, starting from the time their ablution is broken after putting on the khuffs. For the Prophet (peace be upon him) set the period of wiping over the khuffs as three days and nights for travelers and one day and night for residents. (Muslim, Taharah, 85 [276])

If a person who has performed ablution by wiping over the khuffs removes both or one of the khuffs while still in a state of ablution, they must wash their feet and put the khuffs back on without breaking their ablution. If they remove the khuffs while not in a state of ablution, they must wash their feet when performing ablution again. When the period for wiping expires, if the person is still in a state of ablution, it is sufficient to remove the khuffs and wash the feet; if not, they must perform a complete ablution including washing the feet. (Kāsānī, Bedā’i, 1/9)

Source: T.C. Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı, Din İşleri Yüksek Kurulu