Chapter on the Description of Ablution and Its Obligations

Ali ibn Ismail al-Mithami narrated from Fudhayl al-Rassan, from Raqabah ibn Masqalah: I entered upon Abu Ja'far عليه السلام and asked Imam عليه السلام about certain matters. Imam عليه السلام said: "I see that you are among those who issue religious rulings in the mosque of Iraq." I replied: "Yes." Imam عليه السلام said to me: "Where are you from?" I replied: "I am a cousin of Sa'sa'ah." Imam عليه السلام said: "Welcome, O cousin of Sa'sa'ah." I asked Imam عليه السلام: "What do you say about wiping over leather socks?" Imam عليه السلام replied: "Umar (second occupier) considered it permissible for three days for a traveler and one day and night for a resident. However, my father (Imam Ali Ibn Hussein عليه السلام) did not permit it, whether during travel or residence." When I left Imam عليه السلام presence and stood at the door's threshold, Imam عليه السلام called me back, saying: "Come back, O cousin of Sa'sa'ah." So I returned to Imam عليه السلام, and he said: "Indeed, the people used to give rulings based on their opinions, sometimes being right and sometimes wrong, but my father (Imam Ali Ibn Hussein عليه السلام) did not give rulings based on his opinion."