Sunnah of Walking Barefo : A critical study

Abstract

This paper discusses and analyzes the hadith about walking barefoot. It aims to trace its channels narrations, while explaining its wording and defective features and examining its inferred meaning about the claim that walking barefoot is a prophetic tradition. The proofs that show the weakness of this argument will be discussed. 

The hadith about walking barefoot is shadhdh (anomalous) and da’eef (weak) which may not be followed and is not reliable. The Sunnah that has been narrated from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) is to use footwear, which is a recommended practice. Walking barefoot is not mentioned as part of the Sunnah, to my knowledge, and no one of the early imams has claimed the opposite.