Is wearing socks during prayer Sunnah, and do they fall under the same ruling as sandals?

The scholars have not reported any statements regarding prayer in socks, whether it is recommended or not. However, they have made statements concerning prayer in sandals and leather socks (khuffayn). Scholars differ on the ruling of praying in sandals, some deeming it recommended and others permissible.

Ibn Rajab argued for its recommendation based on the Prophet's consistent practice of it, while An-Nawawi argued for its permissibility, stating that most of the Prophet's prayers were performed barefoot.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen held the view that it is recommended. Ibn Uthaymeen cited the hadith: "Contradict the Jews, for they do not pray in their sandals nor in their khuffayn."

Praying in khuffayn (and similarly in socks) is permissible without being disliked. The difference of opinion lies in whether it is recommended or not. Removing khuffayn (and socks) invalidates the purity for someone who performed ablution by wiping over them, according to the majority of scholars. Therefore, for one who wiped over them, it is better to pray in them. It is disliked to wear sandals or khuffayn inside the Kaaba.