Also excluded is anything dry enough not to soil the area. If something emerges that does not soil it because of its dryness, no post-relief cleansing is required, since the purpose of such cleansing is purification, and there is no need for it in this case.

If something unusual, such as a pebble, emerges, must post-relief cleansing be performed because of it?

The answer is: if it soils the area, post-relief cleansing is required, as it falls under the general wording of the author; but if it does not soil the area, it is not required, since there is no need for it.

Ablution and dry ablution are not valid before it.

His statement, “Ablution and dry ablution are not valid before it,” means that for ablution or dry ablution to be valid, post-relief cleansing with water or cleansing with stones must come first.

The evidence is the Prophet’s practice, peace and blessings be upon him: he would perform cleansing with stones before ablution. (1) But does a mere act establish an obligation? The preponderant view among the scholars is that a mere act does not entail obligation, unless it serves as an explanation of a general statement whose wording indicates obligation, in accordance with the text being explained. (2)

As for a mere act, the sound view is that it indicates recommendation. However, the Hanbali jurists cited as evidence for its being obligatory the Prophet’s statement to Ali, may Allah be pleased with him: “He should wash his penis and perform ablution.” (3) They said: he mentioned washing the