[Kolokireo]

I was hoping that I wouldn't have to get involved in this discussion, but...

Let us discuss these conditions, one by one, in an orderly, objective manner.

Before discussing these conditions, it is imperative to bear in mind where they came from.

Masah is only permissible on a sock, if it has the qualities of a khuff.
So these conditions are, in reality, inherent qualities of a khuff, thus in order for a sock to be in the meaning of a khuff, these qualities will have to be found in the sock in the same manner as they are found in a khuff.

This is clearly mentioned in most Hanafi books of Fiqh.
Also, our discussion here is based on the hanafi madhab.

First condition
Standing on its own

This is the primary condition in a jawrab and has been mentioned in most books of fiqh.

The Fuqaha explain it to mean that the jawrab must be so thick, that is could stand up around the calf, solely on account of its thickness ie. not because of being tied, or of its elasticity or because it is so narrow.

This is an inherent quality of a khuff and a must in a jawrab if one wishes to wipe over it.

Because the brothers are insisting on practical demonstrations, I conducted a small test using a khuff, 3 different types of socks in addition to a sock that I feel meets up to the conditions mentioned.

In order for the khuff/sock to prove that it is standing upright because of its thickness, it was neccessary to have something in the sock as the "foot" with no calf to give support to the sock.
Only then would the sock be standing up because of its thickness.

Here are the results.

First, the Defending Champion, a top quality zipless khuff from www.khuffs.com. (They are really worth it, so if any of you buy one, tell them Soofi Saheb referred you. They might give me a commission :- )
Here he is:


As you can see, he is standing up perfectly, without falling down, because it is leather.

Now we have the three wannabe's.

The first, a nice spanking new dress sock:


Failed miserably!
You can even see the Vaseline Intensive Care "Foot" inside it.

As for Number Two, a slightly thicker sock, for those colder days:


Failed terribly, as you can see.

And Number Three is the thickest sock in my collection. I keep him for those really freezing days, we rarely have here on the coast.



Another disappointment. I wonder if the shop wil take him back? He failed my quality control test.

And because I know that some will argue that this condition is impossible, as no non-leather sock could ever fulfil it, I included Number Four.

He hails from India, boasting a shiny waterproof outer, with a warm inner.
Came across him in Nizamuddin, when I was there for our Mashwarah a few years back. Seemed acceptable to me, but to confirm, I smsed two of our "hot" young Muftis in South Africa, who gave the go ahead.

Here he is:


As we can all see, he is standing up hail and healthy, all on his own.
Why? Because the material he is made from is thick enough to share the qualities of a khuff.

Now, instead of discussing the other conditions, i would request brothers to show me normal thick or thin socks that meet this condition.
It is possible that a few really thick sock will meet it, so the brothers are requested to put it to the test, and if they do pass, show us the results.

Also, if anybody disagrees with this condition or the application of it, they are welcome to present their view, in a civil and amicable manner.

Jazakallah for your time.