Zirr bin Hubaish (may Allah have mercy on him) says that one day I went to Hazrat Safwan bin Assal (may Allah be pleased with him) to ask about the ruling of wiping over the leather socks (khuffain). He asked, "What brings you here?" I said, "I have come in pursuit of knowledge." He said, "Shall I not give you glad tidings? The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'The angels of Allah spread their wings for the seeker of knowledge, expressing happiness for his pursuit of knowledge.'" Then he mentioned the entire hadith. Zirr bin Hubaish (may Allah have mercy on him) says, "I said to him, 'I have come to ask you about wiping over the leather socks.'" He said, "Alright, I was in that army which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sent. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded us that if we wore the leather socks in a state of purity and we were travelers, we could wipe over them for three days, and if we were residents, then for one day and night, except if someone becomes junub (in a state requiring major ritual purification). But for urination, defecation, and sleep, there was no command to remove them." And I heard the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) say: "In the west, there is a door which is open for repentance; its width is the distance of seventy years. It will not be closed until the sun rises from the west."