Is it necessary to use one’s hand during Istinjaa?

Question

AOA,

For almost a decade since salat has been fard on me, I have been using the bathroom improperly. I am a female and my mother thought that I learned how to use the bathroom properly in Islamic school, which I attended when I was younger, but I was taught nothing regarding it. It was only when my younger female cousin was visiting us and the topic came up, that I learned that one must use the left hand to wipe after using the bathroom. What I was doing for a decade was just using water from a muslim shower or a watering bucket and using toilet paper. I don't know what to do. Does this mean for an entire decade I was not pure and consequently all my salat and fasts have been invalid? Please advise.

JazakAllah Khair

Abdullah Noorgat · Accepted Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

Respected Sister,

After relieving oneself, if the impurity does not spread to the size of a 50 cents coin (about 3 cm in diameter) or more, then doing istinja is Sunnah. It is best to use toilet paper followed by water. Second best is to only use water. Third best is to only use toilet paper. In all the three cases one will get the reward of acting upon the Sunnah, although the reward will vary. Nonetheless, if you do not use water, your salaat will still be valid.

If, however, the impurity spreads to the size of a 50 cents coin (about 3 cm in diameter) or more, then washing away the impurity with water is compulsory. Using toilet paper only is not sufficient.

In the enquired situation, water and tissue was used. Hence, the sunnah of istinja will be obtained. The purpose of istinja is to obtain purity and using the hand only assists one in this regard. However, purity can be obtained without using the hand, it will not be necessary to repeat one’s salaah if one did not use one’s hand during istinja. If one is certain of purity after using water and tissue only, then one should not entertain these thoughts as it is from shaitaan1.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Abdullah Noorgat

Student Darul Ifta

South Africa

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

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