(1) Linguistically, *istinja* (ritual cleansing after relieving oneself) derives from the verb *nawaytu al-shajara*—“I cut the tree.” Technically, it means removing the usual or any other filth that exits from the private parts with pure water, or else removing its legal impurity with something that substitutes for water, such as a stone, a piece of wood, or a shard of pottery. Using a stone for this purpose is also called *istijmar*, from *jimar* (small stones). (2) This ruling is based on the hadith reported by al-Bukhari (no. 142) and Muslim (no. 375) from Anas ibn Malik, which omits the phrase “In the name of Allah” at its beginning. As for the wording cited here by the author, Ibn Hajar notes: “Al-Umari transmitted this hadith through the chain of Abd al-Aziz ibn al-Mukhtar from Abd al-Aziz ibn Suhayb with the imperative wording: ‘When you enter the lavatory say: Bism Allah, a‘udhu billah min al-khubthi wa’l-khaba’ith (In the name of Allah; I seek refuge in Allah from filth and male and female devils).’ Its chain meets Muslim’s criteria and includes the additional mention of the *basmala*; I have not found this addition in any other narration.” See Fath al-Bari, 1/308. The *basmala* before entering the lavatory is established by other texts as well, such as the hadith reported by al-Tirmidhi (no. 606) and Ibn Majah (no. 297) from Ali ibn Abi Talib: “The screen between the jinn’s eyes and the nakedness of the children of Adam, when one of them enters the lavatory, is his saying: Bism Allah.” Shaykh al-Albani authenticated it in Irwa al-Ghalil, 1/88. (3) Reported by Ibn Majah (no. 301) from Anas ibn Malik; its chain includes Isma‘il ibn Muslim, who is weak. It has supporting evidence from the hadith of Abu Dharr al-Ghifari transmitted by Ibn al-Sunni in ‘Amal al-Yawm wa’l-Laylah (1/60, no. 23), but al-Munawi—quoting al-Mundhiri—graded it weak, and al-Albani likewise declared it weak in Irwa al-Ghalil, 1/92.