What istinja is, and what may be used for it
The definition of istinja, its rulings, and which materials may, should not, or are disliked to be used for it.
Istinja is cleaning the impurity off your body after using the toilet, from the front or the back.
| You may use | You should not use | Better to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Stones, clay, sand, or water, or anything else clean that actually removes the impurity | Food, animal feed, leaves, anything valuable like clothes or paper, or water already used for wudu or Zamzam water | Fired bricks, coal, glass, bones, lime, anything impure, or a stone already used before |
A few simple rules
- It is sunnah to clean yourself well after using the toilet. It is a good habit (mustahabb) to do it after urinating too.
- It is best to use both stones (or something like them) and water together, though using just one of them is still enough.
- If you use water, make sure you have privacy first.
- If you use stones, an odd number is best, and at least three.
Istinja is the removal of impurity from the body, front or back, after using the toilet, also called taking a purification.
| Category | Materials |
|---|---|
| Permitted | Stones, clay, sand, and water, and, more generally, anything clean that effectively removes the impurity |
| Not to be used | Food, animal feed, tree leaves, valuable or respected items (such as clothing or paper, whether blank or written on), and water already used, such as wudu leftover or Zamzam water |
| Disliked to use | Fired bricks, coal, glass, bones, lime, anything impure, or a stone or clay already used for a previous istinja |
Istinja is a confirmed sunnah when impurity has spread out from where it exited the body.
It is mustahabb to perform istinja after urinating.
Istinja should ideally be done with both stones and water together. Using only one of the two still fulfils the sunnah, but using both is more preferable.
Istinjāʼ is the removal of najāsah from the body, front or back, following the call of nature, termed also istibrāʼ or 'taking a purification.'
| Category | Materials |
|---|---|
| Permitted | Stones, clay, sand, and water; more generally, anything ṭāhir (clean) capable of effectively removing the najāsah |
| Impermissible | Food, animal feed, tree leaves, items of value or sanctity (clothing, paper, whether blank or inscribed), and mustaʿmal water such as wuḍūʾ run-off or Zamzam water |
| Makrūh | Fired bricks, coal, glass, bone, lime, any impure substance, or a stone or clay already used in a prior istinjāʼ |
Istinjāʼ is sunnah muʾakkadah where the najāsah has spread beyond its point of exit.
Istinjāʼ after urination is mustaḥabb.
Performing istinjāʼ after leech-bloodletting, or merely upon waking with no actual need, is described as bidʿah, an innovation without basis.
Istinjāʼ is ideally performed with both stones and water; either alone discharges the sunnah, but combining the two is more excellent (afḍal).
Terms on this page
Related
- What tayammum may be done with, and when it is allowed Which materials tayammum can and cannot be performed on, and the situations that make tayammum permissible instead of water.
- The procedure and etiquette of relieving oneself The words to say, the order of cleaning, forbidden places to relieve oneself, and the acts disliked while doing so.
- How to purify the body, clothes, and other things How impurity is removed from the body, clothes, skins, the ground, metal and glass, utensils, oil and honey, and other items.
- How to make ghusl, step by step The full sunnah method of ghusl in order, from washing the hands to the final pouring, with the notes that make it valid.