Why Wudu is Obligatory After Passing Wind but Istinja is Not Required

Source: Ahkam wa Masail – Taharah Issues, Vol. 1, p. 91

Question:​

Authentic hadith proves that wudu is obligatory after passing wind, but istinja (washing the private area) is not required. However, it seems illogical that the place from which wind is released is not washed, while other body parts that were already clean must be washed. What is the wisdom behind this?

Answer:​

Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʿammā baʿd:

Reason for the Ruling:​

1. Istinja is linked to the removal of physical impurity.​

• When urine or feces is discharged, it carries najasa (impurity).
• Therefore, washing the point of exit becomes necessary.

2. Wind does not carry any physical impurity.​

• Passing wind only nullifies wudu because of the specific rulings of ritual purity (taharah) laid down in Shari‘ah.
• It does not result in visible or tangible impurity at the exit point.
• Since no najasa appears, washing is not prescribed.

3. Wudu is required for ritual purity, not for cleaning dirt.​

• Passing wind breaks the state of ritual purity (hadath asghar), which is why wudu is necessary.
• The washing of other body parts in wudu is based on Shari‘ah’s command, not on physical impurity being present there.

Wisdom:​

• Shari‘ah rulings differentiate between physical impurity (najasa hissiyyah) and the state of ritual impurity (hadath).
• Passing wind causes hadath without any physical najasa, hence only wudu is required, not istinja.

Conclusion:

• Wudu: Required after passing wind because ritual purity is broken.
• Istinja: Not required unless physical impurity exits.
• This distinction is based purely on the principles set by Allah and His Messenger ﷺ, not on human logic.

ھٰذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب