Sunnah of Shoes

Type of Footwear worn by Holy Prophet (S.A.W):

Our beloved Prophet (S.A.W) wore wooden sandals and shoes made of skin. He (S.A.W) also wore leather socks, and at the time of wuzu he would perform ‘Masah’ (wipe over the socks).

Hazrat AbdAllah bin Umar (R.A) states, “I saw the Prophet (S.A.W) wearing shoes that had no hair (leather shoes without animal fur)

Right First:

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (R.A) has related that Holy Prophet (S.A.W) said, “When one of you puts on footwear, wear the right first, and when taking them off, take the left one off first”.

Avoid wearing the shoes whilst standing:

Holy Prophet (S.A.W) would wear his blessed shoes while sitting.

Hazrat Jaabir (R.A) narrated that Holy Prophet (S.A.W) has prohibited wearing the shoes whilst standing, except the shoes which have no laces. (Tirmidi)

Hazrat Ibn Abbas (R.A) reported: It is Sunnah for a man to put off his shoes when he sits down, and place them by his side. (Abu Dawood)

Do not walk with one shoe:

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (R.A) reported that the Rasoolullah (S.A.W) said: “Don’t walk in one sandal; either wear both or take both off”.(Bukhari, Muslim)

Manners of Shoes:

• To wear shoes made of skin.

• Wear both shoes or take both off.

• Shake the shoes before wearing.

• Wear the right foot first, then the left.

• Hold the shoes with Left-hand Index finger and Middle finger.

• If the shoes are turned over put them straight.

• Try to walk bear-foot at times, as Holy Prophet (S.A.W) advised us to do so.

• Women should not wear men’s shoes, and men should not wear women’s shoes.