It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Whoever performs ablution should clean his nose, and whoever performs istinja with stones should use an odd number of stones." In the chain of narration of Imam Ibn Mubarak, the word «‏‏‏‏سمع اباهريره» ‏‏‏‏ is used (whereas in the above-mentioned chain, it is «‏‏‏‏عن ابي هريرة» ‏‏‏‏). Imam Abu Bakr, may Allah have mercy on him, says that I heard Yunus saying that Imam Ibn ‘Uyaynah, may Allah have mercy on him, was asked about the meaning of «‏‏‏‏ومن استجمر فليوتر» ‏‏‏‏ "and whoever uses stones for istinja should use an odd number of stones," so Ibn ‘Uyaynah, may Allah have mercy on him, remained silent. He was asked, "Will you accept the explanation and interpretation of Imam Malik, may Allah have mercy on him?" He asked, "What did Imam Malik, may Allah have mercy on him, say?" It was said that Imam Malik, may Allah have mercy on him, says that the meaning of «‏‏‏‏الاستجمار» ‏‏‏‏ is to perform istinja with stones. (Upon hearing this) Ibn ‘Uyaynah, may Allah have mercy on him, said, "My example and that of Imam Malik is just as the earlier (wise) people have said."