Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Salaam

I want to know if it is absolutely necessary to wash oneself with water after using the loo or if we could use baby wipes?

Thanks 

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Answer:

Cleanse with water or wipes

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Because water is such a good and pure cleansing agent, the believers are encouraged to utilize water whenever available to cleanse themselves after they answer the call of nature. Unless one has a specific and valid reason to avoid using water, to use any other cleansing agent when water is available is absolutely discouraged.

In the situation where water is absolutely unavailable, there is an allowance in Shariah that one may cleanse themselves with any absorbing agent like stones, tissues, wet-wipes, etc.

Aishah reported that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said, "When one of you goes to relieve himself, (in the absence of water) he should clean himself with three stones." Related by Ahmad, anNasa'i, Abu Dawud and ad-Daraqutni).

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 1.157 Narrated by Abu Huraira

I followed the Prophet (saws) while he was going out to answer the call of nature. He used not to look this way or that. So, when I approached near him he said to me, "Fetch for me some stones for cleaning the privates parts, and do not bring a bone or a piece of dung." So I brought the stones in the corner of my garment and placed them by his (saws) side and I then went away from him (saws). When he (saws) finished (from answering the call of nature) he (saws) used them (to clean himself) .

Sahih Muslim Hadith 2982 Narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah

Allah's Messenger (saws) said: ‘Odd number of stones are to be used for cleaning (the private parts after answering the call of nature). Whenever any one of you is required to use stones (for cleaning the private parts), he should use odd number of stones (three, five or seven).

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan