Questions and Answers
This question is forwarded from a man in prison: ” A brother is leading ‘taraweeh’ and ‘witr’ but does not wash his feet for salaah but wipes over cotton socks. He is also reading from the book in order to lead the salaah. For the sake of unity I join the ranks with an intention to practice the prayers since the brother is not in wudhu .and is reading from the book. Is this the right approach?
Assalaamu Alaikum,
None of the Scholars and Jurists have allowed wiping over the normal cotton socks. If a person wipes over these socks, his wudhu will not be valid. Hence, you should not pray behind this person.
With respect to the act of reading directly from the Quran while in Salaah, some Scholars have stated that it is permissible, while others have not allowed it. The best is that it should not be done since it resembles the practice of ‘Ahl Kitab’ (people of the book).
With respect to joining with an intention to practice the prayer, then this is not a good intention. If you do this, then you must repeat your Salaah individually.
And Allah Knows Best.
Mufti Waseem Khan.
29/5/17.