Hazrat Hudhaifah (may Allah be pleased with him) was asked whether one should perform istinja with water. He replied, "In that case, my hand would continue to smell."

Ibrahim narrates that Aswad and Abdur Rahman bin Yazid, when they entered the toilet, would perform istinja with stones; they would not add anything to this, nor would they touch water.

Hazrat Saeed bin Al-Musayyib was asked about performing istinja with water, so he said that this is the method of purification for women.

Ibrahim was asked about performing istinja (cleaning oneself) with water, so he replied: "Are you going to do this act, while the predecessors used to perform istinja with stones?"

It is narrated from Hazrat Khuzaymah bin Thabit that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: Istinja should be done with three stones, and dung should not be included among these stones.

Hazrat Abu Bishr narrates that Hazrat Tawus said that istinja is performed with three stones. I asked, "If three stones are not available, what should be done?" He replied, "Use three pieces of wood." I asked, "If three pieces of wood are not available, what should be done?" He replied, "Use three lumps of clay."

Hazrat Hakam says that istinja should be done with three stones. If three stones are not sufficient, then five stones are sufficient.

Hazrat Ibn Zubair saw a man washing the traces of excrement with water. He said, "We did not use to do this."

Hazrat Abdur Rahman bin Yazid narrates that some polytheists mockingly asked Hazrat Salman, "I see that your companion ((peace and blessings be upon him)) teaches you everything, even the method of cleansing after relieving yourselves?" Hazrat Salman replied, "Why not! He has instructed us not to face the Qiblah while relieving ourselves and not to cleanse ourselves with less than three stones."

Hazrat Abdullah narrates that once the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, went to relieve himself and said to me, "Bring me three stones." I brought two stones and a piece of dung. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, took the two stones and threw away the dung, and said, "This is impure."