Ruling on Performing Istinjā’ After Releasing Gas

Shumara al-Sunnah, Jhelum

✿ Question:​

Is it necessary or appropriate to perform istinjā’ (cleansing with water) after releasing gas?

✿ Answer:​

Performing istinjā’ after passing wind is not permissible; rather, it is considered an innovation (bidʿah).
Only wuḍū’ becomes obligatory after releasing gas, not istinjā’, as istinjā’ refers specifically to the removal of physical impurity, which is not present in this case. Overstepping this boundary falls into the category of excessiveness (ghulūw), which is prohibited in Islam. Additionally, this practice contradicts the consensus (ijmāʿ) of the Ummah.

✿ Statements from Scholars:​

➊ Imām al-Nawawī رحمه الله (d. 676 AH) wrote:
"The scholars have unanimously agreed that istinjā’ is not obligatory due to wind, sleep, touching women, or touching one’s private part (over clothing). A group from the Shīʿah have claimed otherwise, but their opposition to consensus is not considered."
[Al-Majmūʿ Sharḥ al-Muhadhdhab: 2/113]


➋ Imām Ibn Qudāmah al-Maqdisī رحمه الله stated:
"One who has slept or passed wind is not required to perform istinjā’, and we know of no disagreement on this matter."
[Al-Mughnī: 1/111]

➌ In Fatāwā ʿĀlamgīrī, it is written:
"The fifth act is a bidʿah — performing istinjā’ after passing wind."
[Fatāwā ʿĀlamgīrī: 1/50]

✿ Conclusion:​

There is no evidence from the Qurʾān, Sunnah, the Companions, or the leading scholars supporting the practice of performing istinjā’ after releasing gas. Since no physical impurity is emitted, the act of istinjā’ in such a case is not only unnecessary but baseless.