The Ruling on Wearing the Right Sock before Washing the Left Foot

Question :

Someone told me that it is not permissible during Wudhu' to put the sock on your right foot before washing your left foot; and a long time ago, I read in a book on this subject I do not remember its name that there is a difference of opinion on the subject, and that the most authoritative of two opinions held by the scholars is that it is not permissible; what is your view?

Answer:

The most correct and the safest thing is not to wear the socks until one has washed the left foot, based on the words of the Prophet:

"When any of you makes Wudhu', then wears his leather socks, he should wipe over them and pray in them, and he need not remove them if he does not wish to, except due to Janabah.

It was narrated by Ad-Daraqutni and Al-Hakim, who graded it Sahih through the Hadith of Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, and the Hadith of Abu Bakrah Ath-Thaqafi, may Allah be pleased with him, who reported that the Prophet permitted the traveller to make ablution and wear his socks and then wipe over them for three days and nights and for the resident, one day and one night. And the Hadith of Al-Mughirah bin Shu'bah, may Allah be pleased with him, in the Two Sahihs which states that he saw the Prophet performing Wudhu', so he tried to remove his leather socks, but the Prophet said:

Leave them, for I put them in them while they were pure.

" It is clear from these three Hadiths and others which carry the same meaning, that it is not permissible for a Muslim to wipe over his socks, unless he wore them after completing Taharah; and whoever wore the right sock before washing the left foot, has not completed his Taharah.

Some scholars hold the view that wiping is permissible, even if the wiper wears his right sock before washing the left foot, because each one of them was only worn after the foot was washed. But the safest view is the first; and that seems clearer, based on the evidence. And whoever did so, should remove the sock from his right foot before wiping over it, then replace it after washing the left foot, so that he is free of any differing and safeguards his religion. And Allah is the Granter of success.

Source:
Ibn Baz
Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 2 Pages 100-101