I say, and with God's success: The permissibility of wiping over the socks is established through many hadiths that have reached the level of mutawatir (mass transmission), as it has been narrated by seventy companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Therefore, it is feared that one who denies its permissibility may fall into disbelief. Imam Abu Hanifa said: "I did not accept wiping over the socks until I received reports that are clearer than the sun." He also said: "I fear disbelief for one who does not see the permissibility of wiping over the socks." The reports that have come regarding this matter are in the realm of moral mutawatir, even if they are from individual narrations in wording. If a person believes in the permissibility of wiping but insists on removing the sock, he will be rewarded for his determination. Among these hadiths is what Al-Bukhari narrated from Al-Mughirah ibn Shu'bah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: "I was with the Prophet (peace be upon him) during a journey, and I intended to remove his socks, but he said: Leave them, for I have put them on while in a state of purity, so I wiped over them." And from Abu Bakrah (may Allah be pleased with him): "He (peace be upon him) permitted the traveler to wipe over his socks for three days and nights, and for the resident for one day and night, if he has performed ablution and put on his socks, to wipe over them," in Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah 1: 96, and Sunan Al-Bayhaqi Al-Kabir 1: 281, and Sunan Al-Daraqutni 1: 204, and Musnad Al-Bazzar 9: 90. And from Safwan ibn 'Assal (may Allah be pleased with him), he said: "The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to command us when we were traveling not to remove our socks for three days and nights, except in the case of major impurity, but not for minor impurity, sleep, or urination," in Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah 1: 13, and Sunan Al-Nasa'i Al-Kubra 1: 92, and Sunan Al-Tirmidhi 1: 159. And from Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), he said: "When one of you performs ablution and puts on his socks, let him pray in them and wipe over them, and then he should not remove them unless in a state of major impurity," in Al-Mustadrak 1: 290, and it was authenticated. See: Training the Narrator 2: 179, and Opening the Door of Care 1: 183, and Al-Binayah 1: 554, and Allah knows best.