Istinjāʾ
Definition
Istinja is the purification of the private areas after using the toilet — performed with water or, where water is unavailable, with a certain number of dry stones or tissues. Al-Ghazali devotes attention to its etiquette not because it is complicated but because it illustrates how Islamic teaching sanctifies every moment of daily life. Even the most private and least glorified bodily function has its protocol, its etiquette, and its supplication — transforming what might seem mundane into another opportunity for consciousness of Allah and another link in the chain of continuous purification.
As understood in the classical tradition of Imam al-Ghazali and the scholars of his school.
How the scholars use Istinjāʾ.
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"was reported by Muslim and has been previously mentioned in the Principles of Doctrines. The hadith about urinating close to one's companion is well-agreed from Hudhayfah. Method of Istinja' [cleansing after relieving oneself] Method of Wudu [ablution] METHOD OF ISTINJA': Begin by cleansing the anal area with three stones."
— Imam al-Ghazali, Book 3: The Book of Purification
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"Whatever does not clearly exhibit impurity nor is known with certainty can be prayed with, and estimation of impurities should not be pursued through inference. The second section is the purification of ritual states, which includes wudu, ghusl, and tayammum, preceded by istinja [cleaning after relieving oneself]. Let us present their order with their etiquettes and sunnahs, starting with the reason for wudu and the etiquettes of relieving oneself, God willing."
— Imam al-Ghazali, Book 3: The Book of Purification
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"It is narrated that the Prophet, peace be upon him, performed ablution with a mud and ghusl with a saw. Section recommended remembrances when washing body parts. When finishing istinja, one should say, O Allah, purify my heart from doubt and hypocrisy and protect my private parts from immorality. When mentioning the name of Allah, one should say, I seek refuge in you from the whispers of the devils, and I seek refuge in you, my Lord, from their presence."
— Shaykh Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani, Al-Ghunya li-Ṭālibī Ṭarīq al-Ḥaqq — Volume One
Appears in
1 book in the library
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