Istinja

 

Istinja

(Cleaning after going to the bathroom)

 

Istinja’ refers to cleaning the private parts (the two natural orifices); this is wajib (obligatory) after answering the call of nature.

 

Items permissible to use:

 

Inherently pure water or any rough solid items which would remove filth, such as stones, tissue paper, etc. It is preferable to clean oneself with a dry stone or tissue and then to use water afterwards because the solid item removes the impurity and then the  water removes any traces left.

The private parts should be rinsed an odd number of times, with a minimum of three times.

 

Items forbidden to use:

 

It is forbidden to do istinja’ with an impure item, bones (which are the food for jinns), any respectable substance such as part of an animal (that is not cut off) such as the animal’s hand or leg, and of course any human organ because that would be disrespectful. It is lawful to use part of an animal which is cut off, such as Animal’s tanned skin, the hair of an animal whose meat is lawful to eat, etc.

Manners of relieving one self

 

1. The place: One should avoid relieving oneself in shaded places, in people’s walkways, in holes in the ground or in walls (which may be dangerous due to the probability of finding a snake or other harmful living thing), under fruit trees, and in still water.

 

Narrated Abdullah ibn Sarjis: The Prophet (PBUH) prohibited urinating in a hole. (Related by Abu Dawud)

 

2. Entering and leaving the bathroom:

One should enter the bathroom with the left foot first and exit with the right foot first. One should avoid carrying anything that has Allah’s name (or Prophets’ name or any name that should be respected) It is preferred to recite the supplications which the Messenger (PBUH) used to say before entering the bathroom.

Narrated Anas: Whenever the Prophet (PBUH) went to answer the call of nature, he used to say, “O Allah, verily, I seek refuge in you from the male and female devils (Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal-khubuthi wal-khaba’ith).” (Related by Bukhari and Muslim)

 

 

After leaving the bathroom:

Narrated Aisha: When the Prophet (PBUH) came out of the privy, he used to say, “I ask for Your forgiveness (Ghufranak).” (Related by Abu Dawud)

 

3. Partition:

While relieving oneself, it is forbidden to face the qibla. If this cannot be avoided, then one should place a barrier no more than 150 cm (about 5 ft.) in front of himself.

 

Some scholars say that in walled bathrooms, which are used by most people today, there is no need to worry about whether one is facing the qibla, but doing so is disliked.

 

4. Do’s and don’ts while urinating:

 

a. One should lean on the left foot while squatting.

 

b. One should not look at the sky, at one’s ‘awrah (private parts) or at the urine that comes out. One should not talk (unless it is necessary). 

 

c. One should clean himself with the left hand. It is makruh to use the right hand or to touch the private parts with it.