Bukhari

Explanation:
This was used for breaking clods and also for repelling harmful animals.

Hadith Authentication (Takhrij al-Hadith):
[153۔ البخاري فى : 4 كتاب الوضوء : 17 باب حمل العنزة مع الماء فى الاستنجاء 152، مسلم 271]

Linguistic Explanation:
«تَبَرَّزَ» means going out to relieve oneself, i.e., going out into the open air.

Understanding the Hadith:
From these ahadith, it is understood that performing istinja (cleaning the private parts) with water is a Sunnah. However, it should be remembered that istinja can also be performed with three stones, as this too is established from the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. [مسلم 262، أبوداؤد 7، أحمد 437/5، ترمذي 16، ابن ماجه 316]

Hadith Commentary:
1.
Both water and the spear are related to istinja (purification after relieving oneself).
The connection of water is obvious, and it has also been mentioned at the end of the hadith, and the spear was taken along so that hard ground could be softened to avoid splashes of urine, and also to obtain clods from hard earth for cleaning.
It was also used for other purposes, such as:
(a)
It was used for protection from harmful animals and the evil of enemies.
(b)
It was placed in front as a sutrah (barrier) during prayer.
But the purpose of taking it along with water was only so that the ground could be softened with it and clods could be obtained from it.
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) liked to use both water and clods of earth.
Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has established from this hadith the combination of water and clods.
Another indication of this is that he has mentioned this chapter between “Taking water along for istinja” and “Performing istinja with stones” (which is coming ahead), from which it is understood that, according to Imam Bukhari rahimahullah, combining water and clods is the best practice.
2.
Previously, Hisham bin Abdul Malik and Sulaiman bin Harb have narrated this same report from Shu’bah.
In their narration, the word (anazah) is not present, so there could have been doubt that perhaps these words narrated from Shu’bah by Muhammad bin Ja’far in the mentioned narration are not correct.
Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has removed this doubt by mentioning corroborating narrations, establishing that this addition is correct; thus, in the narration of Nadr bin Shumail in Sunan al-Nasa’i (al-Taharah, Hadith: 45) and in the narration of Shadhan bin ‘Amir in Sahih Bukhari (al-Salat, Hadith: 500), the word (anazah) is explicitly mentioned. Also, in the last narration, these words are present: when you (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would finish relieving yourself, we would hand you the water vessel.
3.
By (yadkhulu al-khala’), what is meant is a secluded place such as an open field, not the built toilets inside homes, because in the house such service would be performed by the family members, and there was no need to take a spear, etc., inside the house. Furthermore, in the previous narration, this is clarified with the words that when the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would go outside for his need.

Hadith Commentary:
Vocabulary of the Hadith:

(1)
AL-KHALA’:
An empty place,
where there is no one.

(2)
‘ANAZAH:
A staff with a pointed iron tip at the bottom,
a spear.

45. Commentary:

➊ The purpose of the chapter is to show that using clods (stones) is not necessary; rather, one may perform istinja (purification after relieving oneself) directly with water, and this is superior. In the hadith, the correct context of the verse: ﴿فیه رجال یحبون أن یتطهروا﴾ “In it are men who love to purify themselves,” is that the people of Quba’ used to perform istinja only with water, and it was due to this purification that they were praised in the verse. [سنن أبی داود ، الطھارۃ ، حدیث : 44]
Whereas some individuals hold the view that this (water) is a drink and is used for eating and drinking, and that using water directly without first using clods will make the water impure and the hand will also become contaminated. They believe that if clods are used first and then water, all these problems are resolved.

➋ The reason for the verse revealed in praise of the people of Quba’ was not that they used stones and then water for istinja, because the narration conveying this meaning is weak according to the scholars. See: [مجمع الزوائد : 291/1 ، حدیث : 1053]
Therefore, it is recommended (mustahabb) to perform istinja only with water. And Allah knows best.

➌ This hadith also shows that a man may take service from his free subordinates, and that it is permissible to serve righteous people.