Is istinja' a condition for the validity of wudu'?

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, many people believe that istinja' before wudu' is one of its conditions. Is this correct?

Answer:
It is not one of the conditions of wudu'. Istinja' is the removal of najasah (ritual impurity). It is necessary; one must perform istinja' or istijmar after the discharge exits, until its effect is removed. This is because the remaining effect of the discharge constitutes najasah, and the removal of najasah is necessary for prayer, as prayer requires taharah (ritual purity) in three things: the garment, the body, and the place. This is the removal of najasah.