What is the criterion for distinguishing between deriving obligation or recommendation from a command?
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The Shaykh : Yes?
The questioner : We mentioned that the certainty in istinja' (cleaning oneself after relieving oneself) is on an odd number, and that what exceeds three is a recommended practice (sunnah)!
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : What is the factor that shifts the ruling from obligation, given that the original ruling for a command is obligation?
The Shaykh : We mentioned, may Allah bless you, that not every command is for obligation; there are commands on which the scholars have agreed are not obligatory.
The questioner : The factor, Shaykh?
The Shaykh : The factor is that it purifies the place. Once the place is purified, all that remains is for the manner of istijmar (cleaning with a solid object) to be in this way, so it has no relation to purification.
The questioner : We mentioned that the certainty in istinja' (cleaning oneself after relieving oneself) is on an odd number, and that what exceeds three is a recommended practice (sunnah)!
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : What is the factor that shifts the ruling from obligation, given that the original ruling for a command is obligation?
The Shaykh : We mentioned, may Allah bless you, that not every command is for obligation; there are commands on which the scholars have agreed are not obligatory.
The questioner : The factor, Shaykh?
The Shaykh : The factor is that it purifies the place. Once the place is purified, all that remains is for the manner of istijmar (cleaning with a solid object) to be in this way, so it has no relation to purification.