What footwear is permitted in ihram for a man?

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of Allah Most Merciful Most Kind

Short Answer

Praise be to Allah, and His Salutations and Peace be upon our Master Muhammad ﷺ, his believers and Companions.

Footwear that does not entirely cover all toes or the heel are permitted to be worn during iḥrām.

Explanation

Al-Bukhari (d. 256AH) and Muslim (d. 875AH) report:

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا ” أَنَّ رَجُلًا قَالَ : يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، مَا يَلْبَسُ المُحْرِمُ مِنَ الثِّيَابِ؟ فقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: لاَ يَلْبَسُ القُمُصَ ، وَلاَ العَمَائِمَ ، وَلاَ السَّرَاوِيلاَتِ ، وَلاَ البَرَانِسَ ، وَلاَ الخِفَافَ ، إِلَّا أَحَدٌ لاَ يَجِدُ نَعْلَيْنِ ، فَلْيَلْبَسْ خُفَّيْنِ ، وَلْيَقْطَعْهُمَا أَسْفَلَ مِنَ الكَعْبَيْنِ

“On the authority of Abd-Allah bin ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, ‘a man said, ‘O Messenger of Allah ﷺ, what can the one in ihram wear in terms of attire?’ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, ‘He is to not wear the long robes, turbans, trousers, hooded cloaks, khuff unless one cannot find sandals in which case he can wear the khuff; and let him cut them so they are below the ankles.’” – Al-Bukhari (no. 1542) and Muslim (no. 1177)

Imam Ibn Hajar al-Haytami (d.974AH) states in Tuhfat’ul-muhtaj:

فَالْحَاصِلُ أَنَّ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهُ الْعَقِبُ وَرُءُوسُ الْأَصَابِعِ يَحِلُّ مُطْلَقًا

“In short, where the heel and top of the toes are uncovered, this footwear will be permitted absolutely.”

Based upon the above statement of Imam Ibn Hajar, may Allah have mercy on him, any footwear that does not entirely cover the toes or the heel would be permitted to wear during ihram. So, even if at least one toe or part of a toe and part of the heel is uncovered, then this footwear would be permitted to wear.

It is important to note that this is the ruling where there are no other concerns or issues pertaining to the matter, such as medical issues or not having suitable footwear. Where other concerns arise, then other particular footwear may be permitted.

And Allah Most High Knows Best.

Written by,

Shaykh Mohammed Jamili
23rd Shawwal 1445
Jeddah