Regarding the conditions for purifying with stones: What does the phrase “that nothing else contact it” mean?

Question

I have a few questions about the Fatwa titled “The Ship to Salvation” by Ustadh Mostafa Azzam:

Regarding the conditions for purifying with stones: What does the phrase “that nothing else contact it” mean?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Amin.

Conditions of Istinja’ Exclusively With Stones

The quote from the text, Safinat al-Naja, by Imam al-Hadrami, is about the conditions for istinja’ exclusively with solid substances.

The quote, “that nothing else contacts it,” means that no other impurity makes contact or mixes with it (other than what exits the two private parts when relieving oneself, such as blood or pus).

I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan.

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.

He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.

Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.