Istibra and Istinja
Istibrāʾ at the time of relieving oneself and istinjāʾ after it — both are obligatory
Core Principle
Istibrāʾ and istinjāʾ are both obligatory after relieving oneself, and this topic is among the greatest causes of the torment of the grave
Why It Matters
This topic is among the greatest causes of the torment of the grave: the Prophet ﷺ said, "Purify yourselves from urine, for most of the torment of the grave is from it." Keeping to istibrāʾ and istinjāʾ is therefore a protection from the torment of the grave
Lesson
Istibrāʾ and istinjāʾ are among the greatest causes of the torment of the grave.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "Purify yourselves from urine, for most of the torment of the grave is from it."
Istibrāʾ is done at the time of relieving oneself, and istinjāʾ after relieving oneself; both are obligatory.
Istibrāʾ: extracting what remains of the impurity in the two passages at the time of relieving oneself — that the servant waits patiently until the impure substance stops. If it is defecation, or a woman's urine, one must wait a little, and that is by sensing. As for a man's urine, he must wait until the urine empties from his urethra, because some drops may remain. This is done by *salk* (pressing out) and *natr* (shaking).
Istinjāʾ: removing the impurity from the two exits after relieving oneself. It is achieved with water or with a stone, and combining both is preferred. Istijmār is when it is done with a stone (or toilet paper).
There are cases in which istijmār suffices: 1. Urine that has not spread much from the tip of the penis. 2. Defecation, if it has not spread much.
As for a woman's urine, water must be used.
Madhī (pre-ejaculate): one of the nullifiers of wuḍūʾ. It is a thin white fluid, not manī, and it is impure; it requires washing the whole penis with the intention, and it is a matter of worship (*taʿabbudī*).
The stone: istijmār does not remove the impurity, it only reduces it. Conditions of the stone: 1. It must be solid — not liquid like oil — and cleansing, so it must not be smooth like glass or reed. 2. It must be pure. 3. It must not be edible, like bread. 4. It must not be something held in honor. 5. Likewise paper with Arabic written on it is not used, and likewise a blank sheet from the muṣḥaf.
A piece of wood, paper, or a stone may be used, and no number of wipes is stipulated for purification.
Charcoal meets the conditions, but it is excluded and not used, and bone likewise; using these is disliked.
Cases in which istijmār does not suffice and water is required: 1. A woman's urine. 2. The blood of istiḥāḍa — which is not from menstruation but from a defect — after 15 days; whatever exceeds 15 days may be removed and istinjāʾ is required for it. 3. Manī.
Manī (semen): lifting something heavy may bring out manī, or being stung by a scorpion — none of this requires ghusl.
Key Points
- 1
Istibrāʾ is at the time of relieving oneself and istinjāʾ after it — both are obligatory
- 2
Istibrāʾ is done by pressing out and shaking, and waiting until the impure substance stops
- 3
Istinjāʾ is with water or with a stone, and combining both is preferred
- 4
Istijmār suffices for a man's urine and for defecation if not spread much
- 5
The stone must be solid, pure, and cleansing — not edible, not held in honor, and not paper with writing on it
- 6
Charcoal and bone are excluded and not used, and using them is disliked
- 7
Madhī is impure and a nullifier of wuḍūʾ; it requires washing the whole penis with the intention
- 8
Istijmār does not suffice for a woman's urine, the blood of istiḥāḍa, or manī — water must be used for them
Evidence
Purify yourselves from urine, for most of the torment of the grave is from it.
Sunan al-Daraqutni 1/314 (from Abu Hurayra)(disputed)
Glossary
الاستبراء
istibrāʾ
Extracting the remaining impurity from the two passages at the time of relieving oneself until the impure substance stops
الاستنجاء
istinjāʾ
Removing the impurity from the two exits after relieving oneself, with water or a stone
الاستجمار
istijmār
Cleaning with a stone or its equivalent
المذي
madhī
A thin white fluid, not semen, impure, a nullifier of wuḍūʾ
المني
manī
The fluid that comes out with desire; istijmār does not suffice for it — water is required
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