Islaamic Etiquettes of Using The Toilet

Subject: Islaamic Etiquettes of Using The Toilet Mon Aug 11, 2008 7:34 pm

Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah

As-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu

Islaamic Etiquettes of Using The Toilet

As an added note, the word "toilet" in this article refers only to the area immediately surrounding the place of relief and not, as is commonly understood in English, the entire bathroom.

1. ENTERING:

As an added note, the Prophet said, "To put a barrier that will prevent the jinn from seeing the 'awrah of the sons of Aadam, let any one of you say 'Bismillaah' when entering the toilet." [1]

One should enter the toilet with the left foot first [2] and say whilst entering:

" Bismillãhi, 'allãhumma 'innee 'a`outhu bika minal-khubthi wal khabã'ithi" [3]
[In the Name of Allaah; my 'ilãh I seek refuge in You from the male, and female devils (shayateen, which is the plural for shaytan)].

It is known that the jinn like to inhabit places of filth, such as toilets and camel pens and that is why we have been ordered to seek refuge in Allaah from their harm when we enter the toilet. [4]
2. SECLUSION:

One should always move and hide away from others when relieving oneself. Jaabir relates that, "When the Prophet felt the need of relieving himself, he went far off where no one could see him."
[5] He would also take the added precaution of not raising his garment until he had lowered himself near the ground [6], since, even tough he would go to a far off place to relieve himself , the area was still open, so there was still the possibility of being seen. This is an indication of extreme sense of modesty and shyness which the Prophet possessed. In contrast, we see the disbelievers, especially the men, who feel no shame in using public urinals, exposing themselves to everyone. There are
certain places which we have been expressly told to avoid when relieving oneself.

The Prophet said, "Beware of those acts which cause other to curse." They asked, "What are those acts", he said, "Relieving yourself in the people's pathways or in their shade [under trees]." [7]
This hadeeth illustrates beautifully how Islaam safeguards the rights of one and all. Again, in marked contrast to this, we find the manners of the disbelievers, whose inconsiderate behavior leaves foul stenches in several phone booths and subways. Not only that, but they see no wrong in walking their dogs with the specified purpose of fouling the paths, causing harm and offensive to others.

Subject: Re: Islaamic Etiquettes of Using The Toilet Mon Aug 11, 2008 7:38 pm

3. THE PROHIBITION OF FACING THE QIBLAH: [8]

The Prophet said, "If you go to defecate, do not face the Qiblah nor turn your back toward it. Instead you should turn to your left side or your right." [9]

Some scholars are of the opinion that this forbidding only applies in open areas and that if you are in an enclosed place, then there is no harm relieving yourself facing the Qiblah or with your back towards it. Ibn 'Umar , said, "If there is between you and the Qiblah, something shielding you, there is no harm in it." [10]

The more correct opinion however (and Allaah knows best), seems to be that it is something forbidden in both and open and concealed areas and it is best to refrain from doing so as far as possible out of respect for the direction which we pray in. The problem which faces many people regarding this issue is what to do if the toilets that they use are positioned in such a way that they cannot help but face or have their back toward the Qiblah. The answer to this can be found in the example of the Companions , for they too faced this problem after they had conquered Shaam
(Syria) which had formerly been occupied by the Christians. The Companions mentioned that when they had to use these toilets, then when they came out, they would ask for Allaah's forgiveness. [11]

4. SQUATTING:

It is recommended (mustahabb) to urinate whilst sitting or squatting and not standing, since this was the usual practice of the Prophet . [12] It is not forbidden (haraam) to stand whilst urinating since the Prophet is also reported to have done so, but sitting/squatting is better since this is healthier for the body and
because there is less chance of urine splashing onto one's body or clothes.
Great care must be taken to avoid the splatter of urine on oneself, since urine is something impure. The Prophet once passed by two graves and said:
"Both are being punished. They are not being punished for major [sins]. One did not shield himself from urine and the other carried gossip." [13]

5. CLEANING:

It is forbidden to use the right hand in order to clean oneself from the impurities of urine and feces. The Prophet said, "None of you
should touch his privates with his right hand whilst urinating nor should he wipe of feces with his right." [14]

As for the material which should be used for cleaning, then we can use either dry material (i.e. tissue paper, stones, etc.) or water. It is permissible to use one or the other, or both and out of the two, water is better. This is known by the fact that the aayah,

"Allaah loves those who make themselves clean and pure"
(Surah At-Tawbah (The Repentance) Verse 108)

was revealed in connection with the Ansaar (the Helpers) of the Qoobaa (near al-Madeenah) because they would use water to cleanse themselves after going to the toilet.
[15] This was also the usual practice of the Prophet . [16] There are three requirements for the dry material if it is to be used to clean oneself: [i] it must be something pure in itself (i.e. tissue paper, pebbles); [ii] it must not be something which is respected (i.e. a book) or something which is of use (i.e. food, clothes etc.); [iii] the private parts must be wiped at least three times with clean parts of that material. [17] After cleaning the private parts, one should clean one's hands. Abu Hurayrah related that after cleansing himself, the Prophet would rub his hand on the ground (to clean it) and then he would perform ablution. [18]

6. STEPPING OUT:
The Prophet would exit the toilet area with his right foot first and seek Allaah's forgiveness.
'Aa'ishah reported that when he left the toilet, he would say:

"Ghufraanaka."
([I ask] Your forgiveness) . [19]

May Allaah grant us the ability to model our whole life on that of the Prophet's and may He bless us with those actions which are pleasing to Him. He is the best One to ask and the greatest One who responds.

Subject: Re: Islaamic Etiquettes of Using The Toilet Mon Aug 11, 2008 7:40 pm

Footnotes:
1. Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 551; Saheeh al-Jaami', 3611
2. Since the toilets in the time of the Prophet were not confined to a structural building, but rather the open space was used, there is no proof for entering with the left foot. However, Ibn Hajar in Fathul Baaree says that "…it may be understood by some by the Prophet's love of beginning good and pure things with the right hand/side that this (entering the toilet) falls into the opposite category."
3. Narrated by Anas bin Maalik and collected in Saheeh al-Bukharee (Volume 1, Book 4, Number 144) and Saheeh Muslim (Book 003, Number 729).
4. It is also the reason why we have been prohibited to pray in toilets, camel pens and the like. See Sunan Abu Daawood (Book 2, Number 0492, Book 1, Number 0184) and others.
5. Collected in Saheeh Muslim (Book 002, Number 0519) and Sunan Abu Daawood (Book 1, Number 0002).
6. Saheeh Narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar and collected by Abu Daawood (Book 1, Number 0014).
7. Narrated by Abu Hurairah and collected in Saheeh Muslim (Book 002, Number 0516) and others. The Prophet also prohibited relieving oneself in standing water (i.e. swimming pools etc.) [Saheeh Muslim (Book 002, Number 553)].
8. The Qiblah is the direction of the Ka'bah in Makka i.e. the direction which Muslims face when we pray.
9. Narrated by Abu Ayyoob al Ansaaree and collected in Saheeh al-Bukharee (Volume 1, Book 4, Number 146) and Saheeh Muslim (Book 002, Number 0507).
10. Hasan - Collected in Sunan Abu Daawood (Book 1, Number 0011) and others.
Authenticated by Shaykh Al-Albani in Saheeh Sunan Abee Dawood (1/.
11. Saheeh - Collected in Sunan Abu Daawood (Book 1, Number 0009) and others.
Authenticated by Shaykh Al-Albani in Saheeh Sunan Abee Dawood (1/7).
12. Collected by Abu Daawood (Book 1, Number 0022). Declared saheeh by Shaykh Al-Albani in Saheeh Sunan Abee Dawood (1/16).
13. Narrated by Ibn Abbaas and collected in Saheeh al-Bukharee (Volume 1, Book 4, Number 217) and Saheeh Muslim (Book 002, Number 575).
14. Narrated by Abu Qataadah and collected in Saheeh al-Bukharee (Volume 1, Book 4, Number 155) and Saheeh Muslim (Book 002, Number 513).
15. Saheeh - Narrated by Abu Hurairah and collected in Sunan Abu Daawood (Book 1, Number 0044) Authenticated by Shaykh Al-Albani in Saheeh Sunan Abee Dawood.
16. Narrated by Anas and collected in Saheeh al-Bukharee (Volume 1, Book 4, Number 152).
17. Narrated by Salmaan al-Faarsee and collected in Saheeh Muslim (Book 002, Number 504). It should perhaps be mentioned (for the sake of completeness)
that the use of dung and bones to clean oneself is also prohibited, the reason being that our brothers for the Jinn find food on it. [See Buhkharee Volume 5, Book 58, Number 200].
18. Hasan - Reported by Abu Daawood (Book 1, Number 0035). Authenticated by Shaykh Al-Albani in Saheeh Sunan Abee Dawood. (#35).
19. Saheeh - Collected in Sunan Abu Daawood (Book 1, Number 0030) and at-Tirmidhee. Declared saheeh by Shaykh Al-Albani in Saheeh at-Tirmidhee (1/7).

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