How to Istinja Urinate

Guidelines for Istinja (Purification After Using the Toilet)

1. Cleaning Hands Upon Waking Up

• Before touching water, hands should be washed up to the wrists three times.
• If using a small container, pour water from the left hand onto the right, wash three times, then repeat for the left hand.
• If using a large container, use a small utensil to take out water, ensuring fingers do not touch the main supply.
• If hands are impure, avoid immersing them directly—use a clean cloth or alternative method to purify them.

2. Sunnah Method of Istinja

• Cleaning impurities from private parts is Sunnah.
• Using clean stones or lumps of earth is permissible if no water is available, but washing with water is preferred.
• If impurity spreads beyond a small coin-sized area, using water becomes necessary for purification.

3. Proper Method of Istinja with Water

• Wash hands up to the wrists before beginning.
• Find a private place and sit down to clean thoroughly.
• Avoid excessive use of water—three to seven washes are sufficient.

4. Privacy and Modesty in Istinja

• Never expose private parts unnecessarily, even for purification.
• If a private space is unavailable, use stones instead of water to avoid indecency.

5. Forbidden Materials for Istinja

• Items that should never be used for purification:
  
  • Bones, animal droppings, coal, glass, bricks, or food.
  • Paper (except toilet paper), cloth of value, or any respected material.
  • Any items that do not effectively remove impurity.

6. Prohibited Practices in the Toilet

• Speaking or reciting anything (e.g., Quranic verses, duas).
• Facing or turning away from the Qiblah when urinating or defecating.
• Urinating while standing, unless necessary.
• Exposing oneself completely—clothes should be removed only as much as needed.
• Using the right hand for cleaning.

7. Sunnah Practices When Using the Toilet

• Entering with the left foot, reciting:
  “O Allah! I seek refuge in You from impure male and female jinn.”
• Avoid talking or responding to sneezing inside.
• Exiting with the right foot, reciting:
  “O Allah! I seek Your forgiveness. Praise be to You for removing discomfort and granting ease.”
• Wash the left hand properly after purification.

8. Where One Should Not Relieve Oneself

• Near water sources, rivers, ponds, or wells.
• Under fruit-bearing trees or in shaded areas where people sit.
• Near roads, pathways, or places of prayer (mosques, Eid grounds, graveyards).
• In areas where impurity might return due to wind or slope.

9. Suitable and Unsuitable Materials for Istinja

✅ Suitable: Water, clean earth, stones, and rags with no value.
❌ Unsuitable: Sacred materials, personal belongings without permission, food, or valuable items.

By following these guidelines, one maintains hygiene, purity, and Islamic etiquette in daily life.

Summery

How to Relieve Yourself in Islam

1. Choose a Private Place:
   • Relieve yourself in a private area where no one can see you.
   • Avoid places where people gather, such as pathways or under shaded areas, to avoid causing harm.
2. Enter with the Left Foot:
   • When entering the bathroom or toilet, step in with your left foot first and say the Dua (supplication):
     “Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal-khubthi wal-khaba’ith.”
     Translation: “O Allah, I seek refuge with You from male and female devils.”
3. Sit or Squat:
   • In Islamic teachings, squatting is preferred as it is modest and prevents impurities from spreading.
4. Avoid Facing or Showing Your Back to the Qibla:
   • When relieving yourself, avoid facing or having your back directly towards the Qibla (direction of prayer). This applies mainly when outdoors.
5. Be Quiet:
   • Avoid talking or unnecessary noise while using the toilet.
6. Clean Yourself Properly:
   • After urinating or defecating, clean yourself thoroughly using water (this act is called Istinja).
   • If water is not available, you can use clean materials like stones or tissues, but water is preferred.
7. Leave with the Right Foot:
   • When leaving the toilet, step out with your right foot first and say:
     “Ghufranaka.”
     Translation: “I seek Your forgiveness.”

How to Clean Yourself (Istinja)

1. Use Water:
   • Wash the private parts using your left hand.
   • Make sure all traces of urine or stool are removed.
2. Use Tissues or Stones (if Necessary):
   • If water is unavailable, you can use tissue or clean stones to wipe until the area is clean.
   • Use an odd number of wipes (3, 5, etc.) if possible.
3. Be Thorough:
   • Ensure no impurity remains on the body or clothing to maintain purity for worship.

What to Avoid:

1. Do Not Urinate Standing:
   • It is recommended to urinate while sitting or squatting to prevent splashes and maintain modesty.
   • However, standing is allowed if there’s no risk of impurity spreading.
2. Do Not Use Your Right Hand:
   • Always clean yourself with your left hand as the right hand is used for eating and other clean activities.
3. Do Not Delay Cleaning:
   • Clean yourself immediately after relieving yourself to avoid impurity spreading.

Why is Cleanliness Important?

1. From the Qur’an:
   • “Indeed, Allah loves those who constantly turn to Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves.”
     (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:222)
2. From the Hadith:
   • The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “Be cautious of urine, for most of the punishment of the grave is because of it.”
     (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 347)
   • The Prophet ﷺ also said: “Cleanliness is half of faith.”
     (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 223)