Does feces lodged within the anus, between the outer and inner parts, fall under the ruling of istinja' (ritual cleansing after defecation)?
It is sufficient in istinja' (ablution after defecation/urination) to wash what is apparent from the exit point without inserting a finger. What is inside the exit point and cannot be reached by hand without insertion is considered internal, and it is not legislated to undertake the burden of washing it. Al-Nafrawi said: "He is not obligated to wash what is internal of the two exit points during his istinja', neither as an obligation nor as a recommendation. In fact, it is not permissible for him to undertake that burden." Al-Ghazali said: "Everything that water does not reach is internal, and internal waste is not subject to the ruling of impurity until it exits. What is apparent is subject to the ruling of impurity, and the limit of its appearance is that water reaches it." However, if what was mentioned becomes apparent, then istinja' from it is obligatory.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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