Is it obligatory to wash the hands before istinja' (cleaning oneself after relieving oneself)?

The questioner : Yes. Washing the two hands is obligatory before tayammum (dry ablution with clean earth) and before washing the face.

The Shaykh : What is tayammum, and how do you perform tayammum? And I have another question.

The questioner : Do you mean before istinja' (cleaning oneself after relieving oneself)?

The Shaykh : First, perform istinja' (cleaning oneself after relieving oneself), understood? Then, if you want to perform wudu' (the ablution for prayer), look at your two hands first. This is a sunnah (recommended practice), not obligatory.

The questioner : Okay, if I wake up from sleep and wash my hands and my…

The Shaykh : There is nothing wrong with it, there is nothing wrong with it, there is no obstacle.

The questioner : The leather socks.

The Shaykh : I am fine.

The presenter : Okay, thank you. May Allah reward you with good.