The Book of Dress – Kitab al-Libas
Narrated Abu Hurayrah:
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, *”None of you should walk, wearing one shoe only; he should either put on both shoes or put on no shoes whatsoever.”*
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مَسْلَمَةَ، عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ” لاَ يَمْشِي أَحَدُكُمْ فِي نَعْلٍ وَاحِدَةٍ لِيُحْفِهِمَا جَمِيعًا، أَوْ لِيَنْعَلْهُمَا جَمِيعًا ”.
Sahih al-Bukhari 5856
NOTE 📝
1. Shaykh Ibn Salih Al-Uthaymeen in his commentary of this hadith explained that the hadith prohibit wearing a sandal or khuff on only one foot; a person should either wear footwear on both feet or leave both feet bare. Wearing sandals is part of the Sunnah, and walking barefoot is also Sunnah. The Prophet ﷺ discouraged excessive comfort and luxury and encouraged walking barefoot occasionally. Therefore, walking barefoot should not be criticised as a sign of roughness or uncouth behaviour, but recognised as a practice of the Prophet ﷺ that Muslims may revive. — Sharh Riyadh as-Saliheen, Ibn Salih Al-Uthaymeen
2. The Shaykh further explained that when putting on footwear, one should begin with the right foot, and when removing it, begin with the left. If entering the mosque wearing sandals, one should inspect them for dirt or impurities and rub them against the ground to remove these before praying in them, as this is also part of the Sunnah. — Sharh Riyadh as-Saliheen, Ibn Salih Al-Uthaymeen
3. The hadith teaches that Islam promotes dignity and a good appearance. One should either wear sandals on both feet or walk barefoot, as wearing only one sandal looks undignified and may cause stumbling. The majority of scholars consider this disliked rather than prohibited, and the Prophet ﷺ sometimes wore sandals and sometimes walked barefoot.
O Allah, adorn us with the beauty of faith, make our clothing a means of covering and well-being, purify our hearts from arrogance and pride, and grant us humility and piety. Make Your blessings upon us a means of helping us obey You, and do not make them a cause of conceit or extravagance. Ãmeen
Allahu Akbar. May Allah SWT beautify our character with kind speech, soften our hearts with forgiveness, and purify our intentions in every act of charity. May He guide us to give without hurting, correct without humiliating, and forgive without holding grudges. May we never allow our good deeds to become a source of pain to others. May Allah SWT make us humble, compassionate, generous, and forgiving, and grant us the wisdom to treat everyone with dignity and kindness. May He accept our charity, overlook our shortcomings, and bless us with His abundant mercy and pleasure in this life and the Hereafter. Aameen Ya Rabbil
Juma’at Kareem
