Re: I feel clean for the first time
^JazakAllah khair sister, for understanding it correctly.
As far as many knowledge goes washing is not mandatory but preferred. I googled and found a resource:
"Any impurity should be **washed or wiped **three times or an odd number of times greater than three, according to whatever is needed to cleanse it, because ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to wash his posterior three times. Ibn ‘Umar said: “We did this too and found it to be healing and cleansing.” (Reported by Ibn Maajah, 350; see also Saheeh al-Jaami’, 4993). Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “When anyone of you cleans himself (with stones or similar material) let him use an odd number.” (Reported by Imaam Ahmad; classed as hasan in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 375).
He should not use bones or dung to clean himself or wipe away the impurity, rather, he should use tissue, stones, and the like."
Resource: http://sweetness-light.com/archive/lets-ask-the-imam-muslim-bathroom-etiquette
Well, when I learned the hadiths mentioned above, I was told that washing **is **mandatory but it is preferred to first clean with a tissue, stone…etc before washing, as it makes washing easy.
The reason for washing being mendatory can be the same as mentioned in the story