Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 299

Undesirability of Wearing one Shoe or Sock

باب كراهة المشي في نعل واحدة أو خف واحد لغير عذر وكراهة لبس النعل والخف قائمًا لغير عذر

Here the Prophet (peace be upon him) corrects something most of us would never think twice about: walking in a single shoe. The guidance is to keep the two feet balanced, both covered or both bare, and the chapter gathers three hadith that protect that simple symmetry. The lesson is that a faith of mercy attends even to your gait and your comfort.

Notice the gentle logic running through these reports: if one shoe is lost or its lace breaks, do not limp along unevenly, restore the pair or remove both. Scholars discuss the wisdom behind it, from avoiding harm and imbalance to refusing a careless, lopsided appearance; the broad point for the reader is moderation and care for one's own body, never leaving oneself half-served.

Hadith 1649

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said:

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏"‏لا يمشي أحدكم في نعل واحدة لينعلهما جميعًا او ليخلعهما جميعًا‏"‏‏.‏ وفي رواية ‏"‏ أو ليحفهما جميعًا ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "None of you should walk wearing one shoe; you should either wear them both or take them off both." [Al- Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

Do not walk in just one shoe; either wear both or take both off. Keep your feet balanced rather than lopsided.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1649 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 139

Hadith 1650

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said:

وعنه قال‏:‏ سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول‏:‏ ‏ "‏إذا انقطع شسع نعل أحدكم، فلا يمشِ في الأخرى حتى يصلحها‏" ‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "When the lace of one of the shoes of any one of you is cut off, he should not walk with the other until he has got the lace repaired." [Muslim].

In plain words

If the lace of one shoe breaks, do not walk on with the other until it is fixed. Restore the pair rather than go about unevenly.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1650 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 140

Hadith 1651

Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) said:

وعن جابر رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم نهى أن ينتعل الرجل قائمًا‏"‏‏.‏ ((رواه أبو داود بإسناد حسن ))

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) forbade a person wearing (tying up) his shoe while standing. [Abu Dawud with a good Isnad].

In plain words

The Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade putting on or tying a shoe while standing. The guidance is toward care and steadiness in a simple daily act.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1651 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 141