Is there any objection to using the right hand for istijmar and then the left hand for istinja’ with water?
The Sunnah dictates honoring the right hand and keeping it away from impurities, such as in istinja' (washing after defecation or urination), blowing the nose, removing shoes, and similar actions, out of reverence for it. For this reason, there is a prohibition against performing istinja' or istijmar (cleaning with stones) with the right hand. Scholars have unanimously agreed that it is prohibited to perform istinja' with the right hand. The majority of scholars hold that this prohibition is one of tanzih (discouragement) and etiquette, not one of tahrim (absolute prohibition). From this, it is understood that performing istijmar with the right hand is contrary to the Sunnah, and the lowest degree of this contravention is makruh (disliked).
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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