What Guidance Does Islam Provide Regarding The Use of the Toilet?
Islam is a religion that guides us in every matter of life.
The etiquette that the Prophet (ﷺ) taught regarding the use of the toilet has been explained in detail within the Shariah.
What Is the Sunnah Dua and Method for Entering and Leaving the Toilet?
When a person wishes to go to relieve himself, the Prophet (ﷺ) taught the following supplication to be read before entering:
- Bismillah, Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal khubthi wal khaba’ith
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْخُبُثِ وَالْخَبَائِثِ
(Jami` at-Tirmidhi: 6)
When entering, the left foot should be placed forward first, and this supplication
Should be read before stepping inside.
When leaving, the right foot should be stepped out first, and the following supplication should be read:
- Aisha (RA) narrates that whenever the Prophet (ﷺ)
came out of the toilet, he would say: “Ghufranaka.”
غُفْرَانَكَ
(Sunan Abi Dawud: 30)
Is It Permissible to Face or Turn One’s Back Towards the Qibla While Relieving Oneself?
The second point of etiquette is that it is not permissible to face the Qibla while relieving oneself, nor is it permissible to turn one’s back towards it.
Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: When any one of you sits down to relieve himself, he should neither face the Qibla nor turn his back towards it.
Sahih Muslim: 265
Why Is It Prohibited to Use the Right Hand During Istinja?
The third point of etiquette is that the Prophet (ﷺ) prohibited the use of the right hand during Istinja (cleansing after relieving oneself).
Abu Qatadah (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
- Idha bala ahadukum fala yamsah dharahu biyaminih, wa idha tamasaha ahadukum fala yatamasah biyaminih”
(Sahih al-Bukhari: 5630 (153)
This means: when any one of you urinates,
he should not touch his private part with his right hand, and when any one of you
performs Istinja,
he should not cleanse himself with his right hand.
By way of clarification, water may be poured with the right hand,
but the actual cleansing must be done with the left hand.
What Is the Sunnah Method of Istinja with Tissue or Stones?
The fourth point of etiquette is that when using stones, clods, or tissue for Istinja, it is necessary to use an odd number.
- Jabir (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
Idha istajmara ahadukum falyutir
(Sahih Muslim: 239)
This means: when any one of you uses clods or stones for Istinja, he should use an odd number.
By way of clarification, even when water is available,
if a person wishes to clean with tissue first, this is permissible, but it must be done an odd number of times.
An odd number means once, three times, five times, or seven times.
Why Should You Avoid Urine Splashes and What Is Their Connection to Grave Punishment?
The fifth point of etiquette is that it is essential to protect oneself from urine splashes.
- Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
Aktharu ‘adhabil qabri minal bawl
(Sunan Ibn Majah: 348)
This means: the majority of the punishment of the grave is on account of urine splashes.
Therefore, when a person goes to relieve himself, he must make every effort to protect himself from urine splashes.
Should One Urinate Standing or Sitting According to Islam?
A person should sit down when urinating and relieving himself.
If there is a genuine necessity, a person may do so standing,
but otherwise a person should always urinate in a seated position, because sitting down helps a person protect himself from urine splashes.
What Are the Sunnah Etiquettes of Using the Toilet?
- Enter the toilet by placing the left foot in first and read the supplication before entering. Upon leaving, step out with the right foot first and read the supplication.
- Avoid sitting while facing the Qibla or with one’s back towards it.
- Do not use the right hand for Istinja. Cleansing must be done with the left hand.
- When using tissue, clods, or similar materials, use an odd number of times: once,
three times, five times, or seven times. - Protect oneself from urine splashes without exception.
- Relieve oneself in a seated position so as to remain protected from impurity.
