Is it permissible to wear socks while in the state of ihram?

The ruling on wearing socks during ihram differs between men and women. For men, the established Sunnah is to wear sandals (na'layn) that leave the ankles and the tops of the feet exposed. The Prophet (peace be upon him) explicitly prohibited the muhrim from wearing khuffayn (leather socks/boots that cover the ankles), and by extension, scholars apply this to modern socks and enclosed shoes. If sandals are unavailable, the Prophet permitted wearing leather socks cut below the ankles.

Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen took a notable position regarding modern socks, arguing that if sandals are genuinely unavailable, a pilgrim may wear regular socks without cutting them, as the reason the Prophet mentioned cutting the khuff was to make them resemble sandals. He reasoned that the concession is about necessity, and the cutting instruction was descriptive of what was practical with leather boots, not a separate obligation. However, the majority position, including Ibn Baz and the Permanent Committee, follows the more cautious view that if sandals are unavailable, the socks or shoes should be cut below the ankle bone.

For women, there are no restrictions on footwear during ihram. Women may wear socks, shoes, boots, or any footwear they wish, as the ihram clothing restrictions for women only prohibit the niqab (face veil) and gloves. Sheikh Ibn Baz and the Permanent Committee confirmed that women in ihram may wear whatever shoes and socks they normally wear. This is unanimously agreed upon by all four schools of jurisprudence.