Touching the penis with desire and without a barrier invalidates the ablution, as is well known; but is it established that this is done with the palm of the hand, not the back of it?

The questioner : Shaykh, regarding touching the penis, there is evidence that touching it with desire invalidates the ablution, and evidence that doing so without a barrier invalidates the ablution. Is there evidence that it must be with the palm of the hand and not the back of the hand?

The Shaykh : In the hadith... it mentions touching it with the palm of the hand. However, this condition serves to clarify the reality of the situation on one hand, and on the other hand, because desire is not aroused by the back of the hand, but only by the palm of the hand. Therefore, nothing is based on this condition except to emphasize the distinction: if the touch is with desire, it invalidates the ablution; otherwise, it does not.

The questioner : So, does the first condition, which is "with desire," suffice, and does it include touching with the palm of the hand?

The Shaykh : But the first condition—may Allah reward you—was derived from combining the two hadiths. However, here, the issue of the palm of the hand gives strength to this combination.

The questioner : Is the hadith about the palm of the hand authentic?

The Shaykh : Yes.