How Does One Clean the Filth (Najasa) After Defecating Using Only Water?

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick

Question 

How does one clean the filth (najasa) after defecating using only water? How can one thoroughly remove it with the hand?

Answer

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

May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to that which is pleasing to Him.  

Cleaning oneself with a pure solid substance like tissue paper or a stone (istimjar) and then water (istinja) is best. It is permissible to use only one of those methods, and Allah knows best.

Cleaning with a Pure Solid Substance

When cleaning oneself with a pure solid substance like tissue paper or a stone (istimjar), one should wipe three times or more to clean the area thoroughly. That is because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) forbade us to clean ourselves using less than three stones.”  [Muslim]

Removing Filth (Najasa) with Only Water

One may also remove filth (najasa) with water (istinja). If one had to choose between using only a solid substance and water, then the latter is best.  

Anas Ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “When I was a boy when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) entered the toilet, I would carry a small vessel of leather, filled with water, and he would clean himself with water.” [Muslim, Nasa’i]  

Method

If you only have water, then first pour some water to remove most of the filth. After that, pour the water with your right hand while using the fingers of your left hand to remove the filth while simultaneously pouring the water, and Allah knows best.

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 pursuing his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.