Wiping over the Feet

Description

Wiping Over the Feet in Wuduʾ: A Classical Debate on Islamic Jurisprudence by Shaykh al-Mufīd

Explore the profound legal and theological dimensions of ritual purification in Islam through Wiping over the Feet, a foundational treatise authored by the renowned Shīʿī scholar Shaykh al-Mufid (336–413 AH). This seminal work documents a rich and methodically reasoned debate between Shaykh al-Mufid and Abū Jaʿfar al-Nasafī, a prominent Hanafi jurist, on whether washing or wiping the feet is required during wuḍūʾ (ritual ablution).

Crafted in a classical dialectical format, the treatise is a masterclass in Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), linguistic analysis, and rational argumentation. Shaykh al-Mufid, known for his rigorous theological reasoning and deep knowledge of Islamic law, dismantles the assumption that the Prophet’s statement and practice regarding ablution necessitate foot-washing. Instead, he draws on principles of language, context, and consistency in Prophetic practice to argue that wiping the feet—rather than washing them—is the more authentic and Qur’anically aligned act.

The book highlights key jurisprudential concepts such as the authority (or lack thereof) of solitary hadith reports, the linguistic and contextual boundaries of legal terminology like “wuḍūʾ,” and the role of communal and prophetic practice in deriving legal rulings. It also addresses issues of methodological rigor, emphasizing the importance of not extending textual evidence beyond its intended scope.

Wiping over the Feet is not just a legal manual—it’s a deep dive into the epistemology of Islamic legal tradition, showcasing how early scholars navigated disputes using logic, linguistic nuance, and ethical disputation. Rich with references to Prophetic traditions, Qur’anic interpretation, and rational inference, the book serves as a critical resource for scholars, students of Islamic law, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of intra-Muslim legal discourse.