Wet Fingers Inside the Body While Washing the Private Parts and Fasts

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam
Question: Assalamu aleikum,
I always thought to enter a state of purity one must clean the anal area completely and that would require using wet fingers inside the anus. I think many of my fasts were invalidated due to water entering my body through this channel. What should I do to clean myself properly while not invalidating my fasts?
Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
I pray that you are in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.
No, your fasts at not invalid.
During the istinja, what is a confirmed sunna is to clean the point of exit.
That which is beyond it, and on the body, must be washed away. As for what is on the inside, this does not have to be cleaned, and you are not called upon nor responsible for cleaning it.
Note that cleaning the point of exit is a sunna, and therefore if left, would not prevent the validity of your prayers. In general, you should be wary of cleaning yourself in the manner you have described, particularly as it may also be harmful to your body.
Please see: How to Wash Filth From the Private Parts [Istinja]? and: What is the Best Way to Clean Oneself After Using the Toilet?
See also: A Reader on Waswasa (Baseless Misgivings)
And Allah alone gives success.
Wassalam,
Tabraze Azam
Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani