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

Question

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

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  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  her 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  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him 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  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him 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.

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