Istinja’ with clods of earth when washing the deceased

Question

What is the ruling on performing istinja’ (cleaning of the private parts) for the deceased with clods of earth at the time of washing? Please give an answer with evidence.

Answer

Concerning istinja’ with water: al-Zayla‘i, al-Bahr, al-Tahtawi and others mention that it is endorsed according to the Tarafayn (Imam Abu Hanifa and Imam Muhammad), while Imam Abu Yusuf ﵀ forbade it. However, the highest degree is to clean first with clods of earth and then with water, as stated in al-Durr al-Mukhtar.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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