Can I allow my spouse to perform istinja on me?
Answered by Ustadh Sufyan Qufi
Question
Is it permissible to perform istinja for a spouse beyond situations of need, such as if they prefer not to clean themselves or for reasons of affection?
Answer
In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,
It would be unbecoming of a believer to do such a thing without excuse or need because it entails leaving the guidance and practice of our beloved Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him).
Jabir ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) has said: “When the Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) felt the need of relieving himself, he went far off where no one could see him.” [Abu Dawud]
Allah, Most High, says: “There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent example for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often.” [33.21]
And Allah knows best.
[Ustadh] Sufyan Qufi
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Ustadh Sufyan Qufi is an advanced seeker of knowledge, originally from Algeria, who grew up in France. He began searching for ways to learn Islam reliably and was disappointed at the answers he found locally.
Then he connected with various traditional teachers and gradually connected with SeekersGuidance. He embarked on his journey of learning through the various teachers at SeekersGuidance, including his mentor Shaykh Faraz Rabbani.
He studied numerous texts in Islamic Law, Theology, Hadith, and other areas with Shaykh Faraz Rabbani and other teachers, including Shaykh Abdurrahman al-Sha‘ar, Shaykh Ali Hani, and others.
He is an active instructor at SeekersGuidance and answers questions through the SeekersGuidance Answers Service.
