Masah
Encyclopedia
Masah refers to the act of ritually cleaning the head or feet with a small amount of water, running the wet hands over the head or feet before prayer (salat
) in the Islamic faith
. The term pre-dates Islam and shares the same root as the word Maseeh (Messiah) which is used for one who is anointed, in religious terms by God.
NOTE: Hands should not be passed around the fore-neck as it is prohibited. One may not make masah over a Muslim head cap, and wet hands must actually touch the head.
or Ghusl
), followed immediately by covering feet with the socks, then Masah can be done over leather socks (khuffs) by wiping the covering of the feet, as long as the (Wudu
or Ghusl
) remains unbroken between prayers, BUT it is not permissible to do masah if the leather socks have significant holes, after 24 hours have passed at home or after passage of 3 days while traveling.
Salat
Salah is the practice of formal prayer in Islam. Its importance for Muslims is indicated by its status as one of the Five Pillars of Sunni Islam, of the Ten Practices of the Religion of Twelver Islam and of the 7 pillars of Musta'lī Ismailis...
) in the Islamic faith
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
. The term pre-dates Islam and shares the same root as the word Maseeh (Messiah) which is used for one who is anointed, in religious terms by God.
Masah of the head
Wet hands should be passed all over the head, with a deliberate stroke downwards from the top of the head; then index fingers are placed in ear canal while thumbs pass behind ears & lobes; then swipe back of hands over neck nape. This is done in one continuous motion, without refreshing the hands with water for each component.NOTE: Hands should not be passed around the fore-neck as it is prohibited. One may not make masah over a Muslim head cap, and wet hands must actually touch the head.
Masah of the feet
If one has performed (WuduWudu
Wuḍhu is the Islamic procedure for washing parts of the body using water often in preparation for formal prayers...
or Ghusl
Ghusl
Ghusl is an Arabic term referring to the full ablution required in Islam for various rituals and prayers. The ablution becomes mandatory for any adult Muslim after having sexual intercourse, any sexual discharge , completion of the menstrual cycle, giving birth, and death by natural causes.Islam...
), followed immediately by covering feet with the socks, then Masah can be done over leather socks (khuffs) by wiping the covering of the feet, as long as the (Wudu
Wudu
Wuḍhu is the Islamic procedure for washing parts of the body using water often in preparation for formal prayers...
or Ghusl
Ghusl
Ghusl is an Arabic term referring to the full ablution required in Islam for various rituals and prayers. The ablution becomes mandatory for any adult Muslim after having sexual intercourse, any sexual discharge , completion of the menstrual cycle, giving birth, and death by natural causes.Islam...
) remains unbroken between prayers, BUT it is not permissible to do masah if the leather socks have significant holes, after 24 hours have passed at home or after passage of 3 days while traveling.
Conditions of Masah
- 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.
- Water must not be able to seep through.
Type of socks where Masah is allowed
- Khuffain (leather socks) - Permissible.
- Thin socks (not made of leather, nor having the qualities of leather, but like regular socks made from cotton, wool, or nylon) - Impermissible. It is not established with enough evidence that these would enable one to take leave from the order of washing the feet as mentioned in the Qur'an.
- Thick socks (not made from leather, but have the qualities of leather) - According to some Jurists, permissible. According to others, impermissible.