The Sunnah related to wearing Shoes or Sandals

بِسْم الله الرحمن الرحيم

The Sunnah related to wearing Shoes or Sandals

1- Wearing sandals or shoes is a Sunnah act, just as walking barefooted is Sunnah. 

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ بُرَيْدَةَ، أَنَّ رَجُلاً، مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم رَحَلَ إِلَى فَضَالَةَ بْنِ عُبَيْدٍ وَهُوَ بِمِصْرَ فَقَدِمَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ أَمَا إِنِّي لَمْ آتِكَ زَائِرًا وَلَكِنِّي سَمِعْتُ أَنَا وَأَنْتَ حَدِيثًا مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم رَجَوْتُ أَنْ يَكُونَ عِنْدَكَ مِنْهُ عِلْمٌ . قَالَ وَمَا هُوَ قَالَ كَذَا وَكَذَا قَالَ فَمَا لِي أَرَاكَ شَعِثًا وَأَنْتَ أَمِيرُ الأَرْضِ قَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يَنْهَانَا عَنْ كَثِيرٍ مِنَ الإِرْفَاهِ . قَالَ فَمَا لِي لاَ أَرَى عَلَيْكَ حِذَاءً قَالَ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَأْمُرُنَا أَنْ نَحْتَفِيَ أَحْيَانًا.

Abdullah ibn Buraydah said: A man from the companions of the Prophet ﷺ travelled to Fudalah ibn Ubayd when he was in Egypt. He came to him and said, "I have not come to you to visit you. But you and I heard a tradition from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). I hope you may have some knowledge of it." He asked, "What is it?" He replied, "Such and Such" He said, "Why do I see you dishevelled when you are the ruler of this land?" He said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ has forbidden us to indulge much in luxury. He said, "Why do I see you unshod (barefoot)?" He replied, "The Prophet ﷺ used to command us to go barefoot at times." [Authenticated by Al-Albaani in Saheeh Abu Dawud #4160 and graded it Saheeh] 

It is a Sunnah act for men to wear shoes or sandals, however, it is incumbent that he sometimes walk barefoot amongst people in order to make this Sunnah known. Some criticize it, considering the one who walks barefooted ignorant. This is wrong because the Prophet ﷺ forbade us from indulging in much luxury and commanded us to walk barefooted at times.

2- When wearing shoes, one should put the right shoe on first, then the left. And when taking off ones shoes, one should take off the left first, then the right. 

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ  " إِذَا انْتَعَلَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيَبْدَأْ بِالْيَمِينِ وَإِذَا نَزَعَ فَلْيَبْدَأْ بِالشِّمَالِ، لِتَكُنِ الْيُمْنَى أَوَّلَهُمَا تُنْعَلُ وَآخِرَهُمَا تُنْزَعُ "

Narrated Abu Hurairah that Allah's Messenger ﷺ said, "If you want to put on your shoes, put on the right shoe first; and if you want to take them off, take the left one first. Let the right shoe be the first to be put on and the last to be taken off." [Al-Bukhari #5856]

3- It is forbidden to walk wearing one shoe only. The person should either wear both shoes or take them both off. 

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ  " لاَ يَمْشِي أَحَدُكُمْ فِي نَعْلٍ وَاحِدَةٍ لِيُحْفِهِمَا جَمِيعًا، أَوْ لِيَنْعَلْهُمَا جَمِيعًا"

Narrated Abu Huraira that 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." [Al-Bukhari #5855] 

Some Scholars said that it is disliked to wear one shoe one one foot while leaving the other foot uncovered. This is because - and Allah knows best - the Religion of Islam enjoins justice even when it comes to the dress code. Wearing a shoe on one foot while leaving the other uncovered is unjust to the uncovered foot. Therefore the Prophet ﷺ forbade walking whilst wearing only one shoe, even if one intends to repair the other shoe. He ﷺ said:

عن أبي هُريرة قال: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: "إذا انقطع شسع نعل أحدكم، فلا يمشِ في الأخرى حتى يصلحها"

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ saying, "When the lace of one of the shoes of any one of you is cut off, he should not walk with the other until he has got the lace repaired." [Muslim] 

This means that if it happened that ones shoe or Khuff (socks) cut off, one should stop walking until he repairs it, or takes off the other one and continues walking barefoot. 

The believer should not oppose the command of the Prophet ﷺ and violate his prohibitons, even if he dislikes the matter. One should follow the guidance of the Prophet ﷺ outwardly and inwardly, in order to attain the honour of being a true follower of the Prophet ﷺ. 

The Scholars mentioned some reasons behind the prohibiton:

-> An-Nawawi رحمه الله said, "The Scholars said, 'In walking with one shoe one does not look respectable and cannot keep balance in his gait, because the covered foot will be higher than the one which is uncovered. So ones walking will be difficult and could cause him to stumble'" [Sharh Saheeh Muslim] 

-> Shaikh Al-Albani رحمه الله quoted a Hadeeth in As-Silsilah As-Saheeha on the authority of Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that Allah's Messenger ﷺ said, "Verily Shaytan walks in one shoe" [Al-Silsilah As-Saheeha #348]

Based on result Hadith, the reason behind the prohibiton becomes quite clear;- Walking in one shoe is the walk of the Shaytan.

Note: The shoe laces used in Arabia at the time of the Prophet ﷺ were different from the ones used in modern times. The shoes were designed in such a way that they could not be used without the laces. The strap kept the shoe tied to the foot, thus if it broke, one could not use the footwear at all. 

4- It is undesirable to put ones shoes (or socks) while in the standing position. 

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that The Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade a person wearing (tying up) his shoe while standing." [Authenticated by Al-Albani in Saheeh At-Tirmithi #1776 and graded it Saheeh] 

This ruling is with regards to shoes which require some handling in putting ones foot in it (i.e. Shoes which are difficult to wear and require holding with ones hands).This is because if one tries to wear his shoes while standing and the shoes are not easy to put on, he may fall down. 

However, it is permissible to wear the sandals and slippers which are used nowadays whilst standing, because they are easy to be worn. 

5- It is Sunnah to pray while wearing ones shoes. However, one should be sure that his shoes are clear before entering the Masjid. If there is any filth or dirt, one should rub them on the earth (ground) then offer prayer whilst wearing them. 

The Prophet ﷺ said, "Pray while wearing your shoes and do not resemble the Jews" [Authenticated by Al-Albani in Saheeh Jaami' #3790]

It is also Sunnah to offer prayer while wearing the Khuff (Leather Socks). There are many people however who deny it, as it is a Sunnah which has not been revived.

The Mosques before used to be furnished with pebbled, so offering prayer in shoes was not harmful. But because nowadays the Masajid are furnished with carpets which could be contaminated if one enters with shoes, Scholars are of the opinion that one should take it off before entering the Masjid.

If one intends to implement this Sunnah, he can wear shoes while praying at home such as in the Tahajjud prayer or a Raatibah prayer. 

Sources:

1- Sharh Riyadus-Saliheen by Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen

2- Riyaadus-Saliheen by Daarus-Salaam

3- The Book of Al-Aadaab (The Manners) by ..........

Note: The Prophet ﷺ forbade engaging in much luxury;- i.e. Excessive occupation with fixing and refining ones body and hair such that one is concerned about this matter all the time. One should be moderate such that he does not neglect himself at all nor is excessive.

The Prophet ﷺ therefore commanded had to walk barefoot, in order to not indulge in luxury excessively, rather some wearing of old clothes and shabbiness is a part of faith, and this is not all the time, but sometimes. 

Ibn Buraidah said, "Al-Irfah is combing the hair, which is to part and refine it. It is also said ample mess in drink and food. This means that one should leave being excessive because it is a custom of the People of the Dunya" [An-Nihayah] 

This does not mean one should be dirty and neglect cleanliness, it means that one should leave excessive adornment.