Confining oneself to Istijmar

Q: Is offering Salah (Prayer) after having performed Istijmar (cleansing the private parts with a hard material after urination or defecation) valid? Is it permissible to perform Istijmar in the absence of water? If water later becomes available, should I make Istinja' (cleansing the private parts with water after urination or defecation)?

A: If Istijmar is made thrice using a pure solid object, with the exception of bones or dung, it is permissible to perform Salah, and one need not perform Istinja' even if water becomes available. This was done by the Prophet (peace be upon him) and is according to the Ijma` (consensus of scholars) held on this pointMay Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.