Islam sets up the details of our lives, even to the extent of advising when to answer the call of nature, in what is termed Islamic Ethics. Many Muslims probably forget what to do when they go into the lavatory, forget to recite du’a before and after it, or do not clean the dirt (najis) properly as it can be considered unimportant. But do you remember that one of reasons why humans get punishment in the grave is because of the urine not being cleared?
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (RA) said, the Prophet (SAW) said “Purify from urine because most of punishment of the grave is due to the urine (which is not cleared).” (Hadith narrated by Ad-Daraquthni).
So as Muslims, we have to understand and practice what has been taught by the Prophet (SAW) about the ethics, such as:
1. When we step into the toilet, go with your left foot first and read du’a to seek refugee from evil deeds. As mentioned in the following hadith:
“Narrated Anas: Whenever the Prophet went to answer the call of nature, he used to say, “Allah-umma inni a’udhu bika minal khubuthi wal khaba’ith i.e. O Allah, I seek Refuge with You from all offensive and wicked things (evil deeds and evil spirits).” (Hadith narrated by the 7 imam).
2. The Prophet (SAW) gave us an example of purification by using water. As mentioned in the following hadith:
Narrated Anas bin Malik: Whenever Allah’s Apostle went to answer the call of nature, I along with another boy used to carry a tumbler full of water (for cleaning the private parts) and an ‘Anza (spear-headed stuck). (Hadith narrated by Bukhari and Muslim).
However, if we are in the public toilet and when the water is not available, or when we are only provide tissue paper, then according to Shaykh ‘Abd Al-Azeez ibn ‘Abd-Allah ibn Baaz, Shaykh ‘Abd al-Razzaaq ‘Afeefi, Shaykh ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Ghadyaan, Shaykh ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Qa’ood in Fatawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (5/1250), it is said that, Shaykh Muhammad al-Saalih al-Uthayymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) stated it is sufficient to clean oneself using tissues after defecating.
3. Every Muslim is prohibited to defecate in an indiscriminate place, especially on public roads and at the shelter (i.e. is not the place for rest, roar camels, and seat):
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (RA) he said, “Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, stay away from the cause someone accursed, namely defecating on public roads and at the shelter.” (Hadith narrated by Muslim).
4. One should not face the Qibla direction and should not wash his/her private part with your right hand. Therefore when Muslims want to build a house, they have to design the right location of the lavatory so that when they pray they are not facing the toilet, as well as the toilet is not facing towards the Qiblah.
Salman reported that it was said to him: Your Apostle (may peace be upon him) teaches you about everything, even about excrement. He replied: Yes, he has forbidden us to face the Qibla at the time of excretion or urination, or cleansing with right hand or with less than three pebbles, or with dung or bone. (Hadith narrated by Muslim).
Narrated Abu Qatada: Allah’s Apostle said, “Whenever anyone of you drinks water, he should not breathe in the drinking utensil, and whenever anyone of you goes to a lavatory, he should neither touch his penis nor clean his private parts with his right hand.” (Hadith narrated by Bukhari Muslim).
Abu Ayyub reported: The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Whenever you go to the desert, neither turn your face nor turn your back towards the Qibla while answering the call of nature, but face towards the east or the west. Abu Ayyub said: When we came to Syria we found that the latrines already built there were facing towards the Qibla. We turned our faces away from them and begged forgiveness of the Lord. He said: Yes. (Hadith narrated by Muslim).
The command of facing to East or to West (when answering the call of nature) is for the people of Medina as the Qibla is facing to North or South. So if the lavatory is facing East or West this means that it is not facing or backed to the Qiblah. However for places with the Qibla’s direction to East or West then they should face to the North or South (when answering the call of nature) to avoid facing towards or being backed towards the Qibla.
5. A Du’a for when exiting out of the toilet is:
Aishah also narrated from the Prophet (SAW) when out of the toilet saying “Ghufraanaka” (I beg forgiveness from You).
And Allaah knows best
