This article presents the etiquettes and rulings related to relieving oneself according to the Hanbali school, covering the methods of cleansing, recommended and prohibited etiquettes, istinjaʾ, istijmar, and related rulings. The material is summarized from Sharh Muntaha al-Iradat, Kashshaf al-Qina, and Matalib Uli al-Nuha.

Methods of Cleansing

The following are the valid methods of cleansing after relieving oneself, listed from least to most preferred:

1. Istijmar — Cleansing the private parts with toilet paper, or another suitable cleansing material. This method is permissible when its conditions are met.
2. Istinjaʾ — Cleansing the private parts with water. This is superior to istijmar because it removes both the impurity and its traces.
3. Combining istijmar and istinjaʾ — First cleanse with toilet paper, or another suitable material, then wash with water. This is the most complete and preferred method.

Legal Ruling

Cleansing after relieving oneself is obligatory after anything exits from the private parts that leaves a trace requiring cleansing. It is also a condition for the validity of wuduʾ and tayammum. A person who intentionally neglects it without a valid excuse is sinful.

Cleansing is not required in the following cases:

1. Passing wind.
2. A pure substance exits, such as a small stone. A pure substance exits, such as a small stone. If a pure object exits the body without becoming soiled by impurity, istinjaʾ is not required because no impurity has exited.
3. Nothing remains requiring cleansing after the discharge. If the discharge leaves no trace of impurity at the point of exit, istinjaʾ is not required. This may occur in the rare case of extremely dry stool, which leaves no residue behind.

Apart from these exceptions, cleansing is obligatory after any discharge that leaves a trace, whether common or uncommon.

When Istijmar Alone Is Sufficient

Istijmar alone is valid provided that the impurity has not spread beyond its normal area. If the impurity spreads beyond the area normally affected during relieving oneself, istijmar alone is no longer sufficient and water must be used.

For example, if feces falls onto the toilet seat and then comes into contact with another part of the body, the affected area must be washed with water.

When Water Is Required

Water must be used in the following situations:

1. The impurity spreads beyond its normal area.
2. The impurity comes from something other than the normal discharge, such as external contamination.
3. The discharge dries before performing istijmar**.**
4. Istijmar was performed using a prohibited material, such as dung or bones.

Istijmar

Istijmar is cleansing the private parts using toilet paper or another suitable material instead of water. Unlike istinjaʾ, which removes both the impurity and its traces, istijmar removes the impurity itself, while a slight trace that can only be removed with water is overlooked.

Performing istijmar after anything requiring cleansing exits from the private parts is obligatory when using it as one’s method of purification.

Conditions for the Cleansing Material

The material used for istijmar must meet the following conditions:

1. It must be pure.
2. It must be permissible to use.
3. It must be dry.
4. It must effectively remove the impurity.
5. It must not be something deserving of respect, such as books of Islamic knowledge, or anything bearing the name of Allah.

Obligatory Acts Related to Relieving Oneself

1. The impurity must remain within its usual area. If it spreads beyond the normal place of exit, the affected area must be washed with water, and istijmar alone is no longer sufficient.
2. The area must be wiped at least three times. If three wipes are insufficient, additional wipes should be used until the area is clean. It is recommended to end with an odd number of wipes.
3. Each wipe must remove impurity. A slight trace that can only be removed with water is overlooked.

Istinjaʾ with Water Only

The Minimum Requirement

When performing istinjaʾ with water, both the impurity itself and its traces should be removed until the area returns to its normal state.

A person is not required to achieve absolute certainty that every trace has been removed. Rather, it is sufficient to have a strong and reasonable belief (ghalabat al-zann) that the area has been cleansed. A Muslim should avoid falling into obsessive doubts (waswas) by repeatedly washing or checking after a reasonable level of cleanliness has been achieved.

Recommended Actions Related to Relieving Oneself

It is recommended to observe the following etiquettes:

1. Before entering the washroom, say:

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ

In the name of Allah.

2. Recite the prescribed supplication before entering the washroom.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْخُبُثِ وَالْخَبَائِثِ

O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the male and female devils.

3. Wear footwear and cover the head before entering the washroom.
4. Enter with the left foot. The same etiquette applies when entering other places of impurity, such as garbage disposal sites and slaughterhouses.
5. Lean on the left leg while relieving oneself, keeping the right leg raised on its toes.
6. Remain seated briefly after urinating until any remaining drops of urine have ceased.
7. After urination has ended, wipe the penis from its base to its tip three times with the left hand, then lightly flick it three times to help remove any remaining drops.
8. Wash the anus thoroughly until the area has been completely cleansed.
9. Begin with the front private part when performing istinjaʾ. This is recommended for men and virgin women, while a previously married woman may begin with either the front or back.
10. Combine istijmar and istinjaʾ by first cleaning with stones or a similar material, then washing with water. Reversing this order is disliked. It is also permissible to perform istijmar for one private part and istinjaʾ for the other.
11. After performing istinjaʾ with water, sprinkle a small amount of water on the private area or the corresponding area of the clothing to help prevent obsessive doubts (waswas). This is not recommended after istijmar.
12. Exit the washroom with the right foot. The same etiquette applies when leaving other places of impurity.
13. Upon leaving the washroom, say:

غُفْرَانَكَ

I seek Your forgiveness.

14. It is also recommended to say:

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَذْهَبَ عَنِّي الْأَذَى وَعَافَانِي

Praise be to Allah, who removed harm from me and granted me well-being.

Prohibited and Disliked Actions Related to Relieving Oneself

Prohibited Actions

1. Remaining in the washroom longer than necessary after relieving oneself.
2. Entering the washroom with a mushaf unless there is a necessity.
3. Reciting the Qur’an while actively relieving oneself.
4. Relieving oneself in places that cause harm or inconvenience to others, such as pathways, water sources, beneficial shade, gathering places, beneath fruit-bearing trees, or on animal feed.
5. Relieving oneself on anything deserving of respect, such as food, or on anything prohibited to use for istijmar, including dung and bones.
6. Relieving oneself on or between the graves of Muslims.
7. Facing or turning one’s back to the qiblah while relieving oneself in an open area. This prohibition does not apply inside a building.

Disliked Actions

1. Entering the washroom with anything bearing the name or remembrance of Allah unless there is a need to do so. If necessary, it should be concealed.
2. Raising one’s garment too early before sitting to relieve oneself. Likewise, when standing, it is recommended to lower the garment before standing fully upright.
3. Using the right hand to touch one’s private parts, perform istinjaʾ, or perform istijmar, unless there is a need, such as injury or the inability to use the left hand.
4. Speaking while relieving oneself, including giving or returning the greeting of salam. If one sneezes or hears the adhan, one should praise Allah and respond to the adhan silently in the heart.
5. Verbally remembering Allah while in the washroom. However, remembering Allah in one’s heart is permissible.
6. Urinating in places where impurity may splash back, such as a urinal.
7. Facing the qiblah while performing istinjaʾ or istijmar in an open area. This prohibition does not apply inside a building or enclosed washroom.