The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, sometimes wore shoes and sometimes went barefoot

2-9-2015 | IslamWeb

Question:

Is it true that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to go to the Fajr prayer barefooted?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

‘Amr ibn Shu‘ayb reported on the authority of his father, who reported on the authority of his father that he said, "I saw the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, praying both barefooted and wearing sandals." [Abu Daawood]

‘Aa'ishah said, "I saw the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, drink both standing and sitting, pray both barefoot and with sandals, and move both  to the right and to the left (when ending prayer)." [An-Nasaa’i]

‘Imran ibn Husayn said, "The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would walk both barefoot and with shoes, drink both standing and sitting, move to the right and towards the left (when ending prayer), and  would both fast while traveling and refrain from fasting." [Majma‘ Al-Zawa’id by Al-Haythami] Al-Haythami said, "This Hadeeth was reported by Al-Bazzar and its narrators are trustworthy."

These Ahaadeeth indicate that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to wear shoes and sometimes remained barefoot while praying or walking.

However, we have not come across any tradition or statement indicating that he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would specifically go to the Fajr prayer barefoot.

Allaah Knows best.