Stones, Purity, and Peace: The Profound Sunnah of Istijmar

Imagine this: you’ve just used the restroom. What’s the first thing you reach for? For many of us, it’s toilet paper. But have you ever stopped to think about the practices of those who came before us, the companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and how they maintained their purity? This wasn't just about physical cleanliness; it was deeply interwoven with their spirituality. One such practice, often overlooked in modern times, is istijmar – cleansing with stones. It’s more than just a method; it’s a window into a holistic understanding of purity in Islam.

The Foundation: What Exactly is Istijmar?

Istijmar literally means to rub with a stone or something similar. In the context of Islamic jurisprudence, it refers to the practice of purifying oneself after relieving oneself using three or more stones, or any other clean, solid absorbent material like paper or tissues, ensuring that all impurity is removed. The key here is purification. It’s about achieving a state of ritual purity, taharah, which is essential for acts of worship.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself laid down the principles for this. A hadith narrated by Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) tells us:

Arabic: أَمَرَنا رَسولُ اللهِ ﷺ بِثَلاثٍ، ونَهانا عَن ثلاثٍ: أمَرَنا بِالجَمْرِ، أوِ الزِّيتِ، أوِ المَاءِ، ونَهانا عَنِ الفِضَّةِ، أوِ الذَّهَبِ، أوِ الحريرِ.

Translation: "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ commanded us to do three things and forbade us from three things. He commanded us to use three stones (or wood or similar material), or to use oil, or water. He forbade us from using silver, or gold, or silk."

Transliteration: Amara-na Rasulullahi ﷺ bi-thalathin, wa-nahana 'an thalathin: Amara-na bil-jamri, awiz-zayti, awil-ma'i. Wa nahana 'anil-fidhdhati, awidh-dhahabi, awil-hariri.

— Sunan Ibn Majah 317

This hadith, while mentioning "jamr" (embers), is understood by scholars to refer to solid materials for cleansing, akin to stones or wood. It shows the Prophet ﷺ’s concern for how we achieve purity, offering options and emphasizing effective methods.

The Evidence: What the Sunnah Teaches Us

The practice of istijmar is well-documented in the authentic Sunnah. It wasn't just a one-off incident; it was a consistent practice and teaching of the Prophet ﷺ.

Consider this hadith narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him):

Arabic: أَتَى النَّبِيَّ ﷺ الثَّيَّا الفُجَّارُ، فَقَالُوا: يَا نَبِيَّ اللهِ، هَلْ يُصِيبُ أَحَدَنَا بَعْدَ أَهْلِهِ مِنْ غُسْلٍ؟ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ: «نَعَمْ، إِذَا خَالَطَ الْخِتَانُ الْخِتَانَ»، وَقَالَ: «إِذَا أَتَيْتُمُ الْمَاءَ فَلَا تَمَسُّوهُ بِالنَّجَاسَةِ». وَأَمَرَ بِمَجَامِرِ مِنْ أَلْيَا فَلَا تَسْتَنْجِئُوا بِهَا.

Translation: "The people of Tayy, who were a tribe of pagans, came to the Prophet ﷺ and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, can one of us take a bath after intimacy with his wife?' He said: 'Yes, if he has intercourse with his wife, he must perform Ghusl.' He also said: 'When you approach water, do not touch it with impurity.' He ordered for perfumed incense to be brought, and said: 'Do not cleanse yourselves with it [referring to dung or bones].'"

Transliteration: Atan-nabiyya ﷺ ath-thayyā al-fujjāru, faqālū: Yā Nabiyya Allāh, hal yuṣību aḥadanā baʿda ahlihi min ghuslin? Faqāla an-nabiyyu ﷺ: «Naʿam, idhā khālaṭal-khitānu al-khitāna», wa qāla: «Idhā ataytumul-mā'a falā tamassūhu bin-najāsati». Wa amara bi-majāmira min alyā falā tastanjū bihā.

— Sahih Muslim 151

This hadith has a nuance. The part about "majāmir min alyā" (perfumed incense from fat-tail sheep bones) is sometimes misinterpreted. The core ruling here, and what's relevant to istijmar, is the prohibition against using materials that are impure or inappropriate for cleansing, like bones. The Prophet ﷺ was guiding them on what to use and what not to use for purification. The consensus among scholars is that the Prophet ﷺ encouraged the use of stones, paper, or similar clean, solid materials for istijmar.

Another crucial hadith comes from the collection of Al-Bukhari, narrated by Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them):

Arabic: مَرَّ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ عَلَى قَبْرَيْنِ، فَقَالَ: «إِنَّهُمَا لَيُعَذَّبَانِ، وَمَا يُعَذَّبَانِ فِي كَبِيرٍ». ثُمَّ قَالَ: «بَلَى، إِنَّهُ كَبِيرٌ، مَنْ كَانَ كَذَا وَكَذَا». ثُمَّ قَالَ: «حَدِّثُونِي عَنْ عُذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، أَلَا تَرَوْنَ أَنَّهُ مَنْ كَانَ فِي حَدِّهِ، فَقَدِ احْتَطَطَ». ثُمَّ ذَكَرَ قِصَّةً فِيهَا: «وَأَمَّا الآخَرُ فَكَانَ يَأْكُلُ لُحُومَ النَّاسِ» ... قَالَ: «إِنَّ هَذَيْنِ يُعَذَّبَانِ، وَلَمْ يُعَذَّبَا فِي كَبِيرٍ، بَلَى، إِنَّهُ كَبِيرٌ، أَمَّا أَحَدُهُمَا فَكَانَ لا يَسْتَتِرُ مِنْ بَوْلِهِ».

Translation: "The Prophet ﷺ passed by two graves and said: 'They are being punished, and they are not being punished for a major sin.' Then he said: 'Yes, indeed it is a major sin. One of them used not to protect himself from his urine.'"

Transliteration: Marra an-nabiyyu ﷺ 'ala qabraini, fa-qala: «Innahuma la-yu'adhdhabaani, wa ma yu'adhdhabaani fi kabirin». Thumma qala: «Bala, innahu kabirun. Man kana kadha wa kadha». Thumma qala: «Haddithuni 'an 'adhabil-qabri, ala tarawna annahu man kana fi haddih, fa-qad ihtatat». Thumma dhakara qissatan fiha: «Wa amma al-akharu fa-kana ya'kulu lumun-nas» ... Qala: «Inna hadhayni yu'adhdhabaani, wa lam yu'adhdhaba fi kabirin, bala, innahu kabirun. Amma ahaduhuma fa-kana la yastatiru min bawlihi».

— Sahih al-Bukhari 216

This powerful hadith highlights the severity of neglecting cleanliness from urine. While it doesn't explicitly mention stones, it underscores the immense importance Islam places on thorough purification after relieving oneself. Istijmar is one of the primary ways this thoroughness is achieved when water is scarce or impractical.

How to Implement Istijmar: The Practical Steps

The core principle of istijmar is to use an odd number of clean, solid, absorbent materials to wipe away the impurity until clean. The Sunnah emphasizes using at least three stones.

Choose Your Material: Traditionally, three smooth, clean stones were used. However, the Sunnah is adaptable. Today, small pieces of paper, tissues, or cotton balls can serve the same purpose, provided they are clean and absorbent. The key is that the material is not something that would break easily or become impure itself.
Wipe Clean: Use the stones or chosen material to wipe the area. You need to ensure that all traces of impurity are removed. This might take more than three wipes, depending on the situation and the material.
Odd Number: The Sunnah recommends using an odd number of items – three, five, or seven. This is a spiritual and practical guideline. The Prophet ﷺ said:

Arabic: إِذَا اسْتَجْمَرَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيَسْتَجْمِرْ بِوِتْرٍ.

Translation: "When one of you performs istijmar, let him do so with an odd number."

Transliteration: Idha istajmara aḥadukum fal-yastajmir bi-witr.

— Sahih al-Bukhari 1612, Sahih Muslim 262

This hadith, narrated by Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), is clear. The wisdom behind the odd number is debated among scholars – some say it's for ensuring thoroughness, while others see it as a symbolic act of worship. Regardless, following the Sunnah in this is a way to gain reward and connect with the Prophet's ﷺ guidance. 4. Beyond Three: If three stones or wipes are not sufficient to clean the area completely, one may use more, ensuring the total number used is odd. The objective is complete purification.

The Wisdom Behind the Practice: More Than Just Hygiene

Why did the Prophet ﷺ teach this? It goes beyond mere physical cleanliness, touching upon deeper spiritual and practical wisdom.

Resourcefulness and Practicality: In the desert environments where early Muslims lived, water was often scarce. Istijmar provided a practical and effective way to maintain purity without relying solely on water. This teaches us adaptability and making the best use of our resources. It shows that Islam is a religion of practicality, applicable to diverse circumstances.
Spiritual Purity (Taharah): Islam emphasizes both physical and spiritual purity. Ritual purity is a prerequisite for prayer, touching the Quran, and circumambulating the Kaaba. Istijmar, when done correctly, achieves the level of purity required for these acts. It connects the physical act of cleansing to a spiritual state, elevating a mundane task to an act of obedience.
Discipline and Mindfulness: The practice requires a certain mindfulness. You have to be deliberate in your cleansing, ensuring thoroughness. This cultivates a habit of attention to detail, which can spill over into other aspects of life, including our worship and our dealings with others.
Respect for Divine Law: Following the Sunnah, even in seemingly small matters like istijmar, is an act of love and obedience to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ. It’s a way of embodying the Prophet's ﷺ teachings in our daily lives, bringing blessings and closeness to Allah.
Humility: The practice can foster humility. It's a reminder that we are human beings with bodily needs, and that even in these basic functions, we are guided by divine wisdom. It strips away unnecessary ceremony and focuses on the essential: achieving purity through the means prescribed by our faith.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

Like any Sunnah practice, istijmar can be misunderstood or implemented incorrectly.

Using Impure Materials: The most critical mistake is using materials that are inherently impure or forbidden for cleansing. This includes bones, dung, animal feed, or anything that cannot absorb and remove the impurity. The Prophet ﷺ explicitly warned against certain materials.
Insufficient Cleansing: Simply wiping with three items without ensuring the impurity is completely removed is not sufficient. The primary goal is purification. If three stones don't suffice, you must use more, maintaining the odd number.
Sole Reliance When Water is Available: While istijmar is a valid Sunnah, if water is readily available and accessible, it is generally preferred for complete cleansing, especially after urination or defecation. Scholars differ on whether istijmar alone is sufficient if water is available. However, performing istijmar followed by water (istinja with water) is the most thorough and recommended method. The Sunnah encourages using water when possible.
Cultural Misunderstandings: In many cultures, istijmar might seem primitive or unhygienic compared to modern sanitation. It’s crucial to understand that Islam provides guidelines suited for various times and places. The efficacy of istijmar with appropriate materials (like clean paper or tissues) is scientifically sound for removing traces of impurity.
Neglecting the Odd Number: While the primary goal is cleanliness, deliberately ignoring the Sunnah of using an odd number without a valid reason would be a missed opportunity to gain the full spiritual benefit.

Bridging the Past and Present: Istijmar Today

So, how can we, living in the 21st century, revive this beautiful Sunnah?

It’s about more than just carrying tissues. It’s about understanding the intent behind the practice. When you use tissues after using the restroom, you are, in essence, practicing a modern form of istijmar. The Prophet ﷺ taught the principle of using clean, solid materials to achieve purity.

The next time you use the restroom, consider this:

Are you ensuring thorough cleanliness?
Are you using materials that effectively remove impurity?
If you are using an odd number of wipes, you are aligning with the Sunnah’s guidance.

It’s a subtle shift in perspective. Instead of seeing it as a historical practice, we can see it as a timeless principle of purity, taught by our beloved Prophet ﷺ. It's a way to bring blessings into our daily lives and connect with his example.

Istijmar, in its essence, is about the mindful pursuit of purity, both physical and spiritual. It's a reminder that our faith is comprehensive, guiding us in every aspect of life, from our grandest acts of worship to our most private moments. By understanding and, where applicable, implementing this Sunnah, we honor a timeless teaching and elevate our personal journey of faith.

The Sunnah of 'Istijmar' (Cleansing with Stones) as a Spiritual Practice Beyond Physical Hygiene: Understanding the Deeper Significance of Purity