The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) granted the traveler a concession to wipe over his leather socks with a wet hand for three days and nights

It was reported from Abu Bakrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) "granted the traveler a concession" to wipe over his leather socks. "For three days and nights" and "the resident for a day and a night" this is evidence that the time allowed for the traveler is three days and nights and for the resident a day and night. This timing was mentioned in other Hadīth that were reported by more than ten Companions.

The time for the traveler is longer, because he is more entitled to the concession than the resident, due to the hardship of traveling. The time of wiping starts from a wipe after Hadath (minor ritual impurity). "When he puts his leather socks on in a state of purity", meaning: after the traveler or the resident have performed ablution from minor ritual impurity.

The Khuff (leather socks) mentioned here are a type of footwear made from leather that cover the heels, as opposed to the Jawrab, which is something that is wrapped around the feet from any material; hair, wool, cotton or leather, thin or thick, and that comes up above the heels, and is worn in cold weather.

The meaning of this sentence in the Hadīth: wearing his leather socks after his completion of ablution, means that it is a condition that the leather socks should be put on while in a state of ritual purity, even if there is a break in time between the ablution and the putting on of the leather socks.

So, anyone who has purified himself can wipe over his leather socks by passing his wet hand just over the top of his leather socks, not inside them or underneath them, according to what was mentioned.