“Whoever does not find sandals, let him wear leather socks (khuffayn); and whoever does not find an izār (waist-wrapper), let him wear trousers (sirwāl).”
Reported by Muslim (no. 1179) from the narration of Jābir — may Allah be pleased with him.
Also reported by al-Bukhārī (no. 5804) and Muslim (no. 1178) from the narration of Ibn ʿAbbās — may Allah be pleased with them both — with the wording: “And whoever does not find sandals, let him wear leather socks (khuffayn).”
Brief Explanation of the Hadith
Among the prohibitions of iḥrām that the pilgrim must avoid while in the state of consecration are: wearing leather socks (khuffayn) and trousers (sirwāl). However, the Lawgiver showed mercy and consideration to those responsible for worship by making allowances. The Prophet — may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him — informed that whoever does not have sandals may wear leather socks, as a means of alleviating hardship. The apparent meaning of the ḥadīth is that the muḥrim is not required to cut the leather socks (khuffayn) below the ankles — and this is the view of the majority of scholars.
However, the command to cut them below the ankles appears in the ḥadīth of Ibn ʿUmar — may Allah be pleased with them both — in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim:
"And let him cut them below the ankles."
Imām Aḥmad took the literal wording of this narration, considering it more precautionary, as it also allows one to exit the scholarly disagreement on the matter.
The ḥadīth also explicitly mentions the concession of wearing trousers (sirwāl) — which are garments worn on the lower body — in the absence of an izār (a waist-wrapper).
Among the wisdoms derived by the scholars — may Allah have mercy on them — behind prohibiting the muḥrim (pilgrim in a state of iḥrām) from wearing stitched garments is to manifest humility before Allah, as the muḥrim wears the simplest of clothing, even if he is a person of wealth — in submission and modesty to his Lord. It also reflects the unity of Muslims and their equality in appearance and dress. Moreover, this simple garment serves as a reminder of one’s end, for a person leaves this world with nothing but a shroud that closely resembles it.
The ḥadīth indicates that among the prohibitions of iḥrām is wearing stitched garments — that is, clothing tailored to the shape of the body — as well as anything that covers the feet up to the ankles. It also serves as evidence of the ease and flexibility of Islamic law, and how it accommodates those who are accountable.