Istanja is an Islamic term for getting rid of uncleanliness. It is a method of cleaning one's self with water after using the toilet.
If you have grown up using toilet paper, think of how we clean a baby when changing its diaper. Do we merely use toilet paper on a baby? No, we usually use a wet wipe, because it is cleaner to have something "wet". Toilet paper on its own is only a wiping device, not a sanitary one whatsoever, so unfortunately, what adults intrinsically think of when caring for infants, is forgotten when caring for themselves or training their children.
In Islam, even cleaner than a wet wipe, we use a spray of water to clean ourselves after urination or after using a wiping device in the case of defacation. If you have not performed Istanja after using the toilet before making wudu, your wudu is not valid, and so your salat will be invalid. It is also a sin and there is punishment from Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala for neglecting it as is related in this sahih hadith (may Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala protect us from such things, ameen):
Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) narrates: "The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) once passed by two graves and said:" They (in the grave) are being punished not for a great thing to avoid "Then he added:" Yes, (they are being punished for a great sin), for one of them used to go about with calumnies while the other never saved himself from the splashes of urine "
But who would want to keep on using toilet paper now that they have learnt the benefit of performing istanja with water?!!!
After urinating wash with water. If you feel comfortable using tissue then washing with water that's fine, but there is really no need for tissue. If there is no water you can use clods of earth or stone.
Clean the private part with three or five clean pieces of clods of earth or stone if there is no water. Remember using water is the correct way and there is no need for tissue.
WHEN TO MAKE ISTANJA?
After using the toilet when urinating and defecating.
WHICH HAND SHOULD BE USED FOR ISTANJA?
The left hand should be used for all acts of wiping in rinsing during istanja. It is a sin to use the right (which has to do with eating). In Islam know, that for every good thing the right hand is used, and everything else the left is used.
If you have grown up using toilet paper, think of how we clean a baby when changing its diaper. Do we merely use toilet paper on a baby? No, we usually use a wet wipe, because it is cleaner to have something "wet". Toilet paper on its own is only a wiping device, not a sanitary one whatsoever, so unfortunately, what adults intrinsically think of when caring for infants, is forgotten when caring for themselves or training their children.
In Islam, even cleaner than a wet wipe, we use a spray of water to clean ourselves after urination or after using a wiping device in the case of defacation. If you have not performed Istanja after using the toilet before making wudu, your wudu is not valid, and so your salat will be invalid. It is also a sin and there is punishment from Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala for neglecting it as is related in this sahih hadith (may Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala protect us from such things, ameen):
Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) narrates: "The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) once passed by two graves and said:" They (in the grave) are being punished not for a great thing to avoid "Then he added:" Yes, (they are being punished for a great sin), for one of them used to go about with calumnies while the other never saved himself from the splashes of urine "
But who would want to keep on using toilet paper now that they have learnt the benefit of performing istanja with water?!!!
After urinating wash with water. If you feel comfortable using tissue then washing with water that's fine, but there is really no need for tissue. If there is no water you can use clods of earth or stone.
Clean the private part with three or five clean pieces of clods of earth or stone if there is no water. Remember using water is the correct way and there is no need for tissue.
WHEN TO MAKE ISTANJA?
After using the toilet when urinating and defecating.
WHICH HAND SHOULD BE USED FOR ISTANJA?
The left hand should be used for all acts of wiping in rinsing during istanja. It is a sin to use the right (which has to do with eating). In Islam know, that for every good thing the right hand is used, and everything else the left is used.
