Question
Reference number: 166262 | Clothing and Accessories Legislations | June 20, 2019
Is wearing transparent socks (which tell exactly the color of legs) halal? Is wearing socks which hide the color of legs halal?
Answer
Praise Be to Allah and Peace Be Upon His Messenger.
Referring to your question, women’s feet are considered to be ‘Awrah which should be covered. This is the opinion of the majority of scholars except Abu Hanifah. The dominant and adopted opinion is the opinion of the majority. The evidence is what Ibn Omar narrated. He narrated that the prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever arrogantly drags his garment, Allah will not look at him on the Day of Judgement. So Um Salamah (one of the prophet’s wives) asked: ‘What should women do with their hems?’ The prophet said: ‘Slacken them a span of a hand.’ Then she added: ‘Then their feet will be uncovered.’ Then the prophet said: ‘Then slacken them cubit’s (forearm) length, and do not add to that.” Graded as Hadith Hasan Sahih.
Shaikh Muhammad Ahmad Hussain, the General Mufti (Muslim Legal Scholar), in the Palestinian Legal Verdict Council was once asked about the Islamic dress that a Muslim woman should wear. He said that the dress that a woman wears should cover the whole body except for her face or palms. Allah says: : “And not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent.” An-Nur: 31. Ibn Abbas explains this part “except only that which is apparent” as the face, hands and worn ring. Thus, wearing socks which do not cover the feet, or which are transparent, and thus the color of legs and feet is clearly seen is not permissible.