What is the ruling on wiping over socks in cold winter, and what are the specifications of socks permissible for wiping over according to the noble Sunnah and the Hanafi school of thought?

The ruling on wiping over khuffayn (leather socks) and regular socks has been previously explained. The Hanafi madhhab (school of thought) generally permits wiping over socks, in summer and winter, but with conditions. The author of Al-Inayah mentioned that wiping over socks has three aspects:

1. Permissibility by consensus: If they are thick and have leather soles (i.e., with a sole like a sandal). 2. Impermissibility by consensus: If they are neither thick nor have leather soles. 3. Impermissibility according to Abu Hanifa, contrary to his two companions: If they are thick but do not have leather soles.

It has been narrated that Abu Hanifa retracted his opinion and adopted the view of his two companions regarding the permissibility of wiping over thick socks that do not have leather soles, and this is the fatwa (religious edict) upon which practice is based. The evidence for his retraction is that he wiped over his socks during his illness and said to those who visited him: "I have done what I used to forbid people from doing."