Entering Masjids (mosques) while

Q: What is the ruling on Offering Salah (Prayer) while wearing shoes? Kindly give your answer supported with proofs, as some brothers maintain the permissibility, while others adhere to prohibition claiming that offering Salah with shoes on is only permitted in open areas directly exposed to the sun. As for other areas, shoes may have impure substances on them that may corrupt these areas.

A: The authentic Hadith indicate that offering Salah in shoes is desirable or at least permissible. According to a report, Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) was asked: Had the Prophet (peace be upon him) ever prayed with his shoes on. He replied, 'Yes.' Related by Ahmad, Al-Bukhari, and Muslim. Shaddad ibn Aws (may Allah be pleased with him) also said: 'The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, Act differently from the Jews, for they do not offer Salah in their sandals or shoes. Related by Abu Dawud. The Hadith make no distinction between offering Salah while wearing shoes in closed Masjids (mosques) or in other open areas, whether they are deserts, farms, houses, or the like. Some of these Hadith actually specify Masjids as a place where Salah may be offered with shoes on. (Part No. 6; Page No. 217)  According to the report of Ahmad and Abu Dawud on the authority of Abu Sa`id Al-Khudry who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, When any of you comes to the Masjid, he should see if he finds filth on his sandals, he should wipe it off and offer Salah in them. Similarly, Abu Dawud reported on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that he (the Prophet) said, If any of you, while praying, takes off his sandals, he should not hurt anybody with them. He should place them between his feet or pray wearing them. Al-`Iraqy classified this Hadith as authentic. Abu Dawud Ahmad, and Ibn Majah report with a good Sanad (chain of narration) on the authority of `Amr ibn Shu`ayb from his father from his grandfather that he said, I saw the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) offering Salah both barefoot and with shoes on. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.