The Etiquettes of Relieving Oneself
Creator: Shaikh Abdullaah bin Saalih Al-Ubaylaan
Date: 2007-07-25
Format: text
Identifier: http://web.archive.org/web/20021025111131/www.al-manhaj.com/articleprnt.cfm?ArticleID=167
Language: en
Subject: prayer
Title: The Etiquettes of Relieving Oneself
Created on: Wed Jul 25 20:56:08 -0400 2007
Updated on: Wed Feb 06 16:57:28 -0500 2008
Version: 3
Abstract: ... It is also based on what Muslim reported from ‘Abdullaah bin Ja’far, that he said: “The most beloved of things that Allaah’s Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would conceal himself with when relieving himself was a wide area with large obstacles or an enclosure of date-palm trees.” It is forbidden for the Muslim to relieve himself on a road, which the people use or in an area of shade, where the people sit under. This is based on what Abu Hurairah (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) reported from Allaah’s Messenger, that he said: “Beware of the two things which provoke the curse (of people falling on you). The one who relieves himself on the road the people use or in their area of shade.” Reported by Muslim. This applies generally to everything the people use, whether it be a road, some shaded area or an area where there are trees with fruits or in their water area (i.e. for washing). It is not permissible for him to relieve himself in these places, because he will cause them to become impure for other Muslims. It is also forbidden for a Muslim to face or turn his back to the Qiblah when relieving himself, especially when excreting. This is due to what Abu Ayoob Al-Ansaaree (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) reported from Allaah’s Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) that he said: “When you go to excrete, then do not face the Qiblah nor put your back to it. Instead turn (your direction) to the east or the west.” This hadeeth is agreed upon (i.e. Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim). Furthermore this hadeeth was directed to the people of Madeenah because to them the Qiblah was facing the direction of the south. It is also based on what Muslim reported from Abu Hurairah (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) that Allaah’s Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “When one of you sits down to relieve himself, then he should not face the (direction of the) Qiblah nor turn his back to it.” As for what is related to Istainjaa, which is removing impurities from the front and the rear private parts after relieving oneself, then the Muslim has the option of choosing between using water or stones when performing the Istainjaa. So if he succeeds in purifying himself with water, then his Istinjaa is valid, based on what Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim reported from Anas (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) that he said: “Allaah’s Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘ayahi wa sallam) would enter the bathroom area, so I and a youth would hold up a water pitcher and a spear on either side, and he would make Istinjaa with the water.” The spear would be pitched in the ground and a garment would be placed on it, such that he would be concealed from the eyes of the people. And if he succeeds in purifying himself by using stones or whatever takes its place, such as toilet paper and its types, his action is valid and acceptable. This is based on what has been reported by Al-Bukhaaree from the hadeeth of Abu Hurairah (radyAllaahu ‘anhu), that he said: “I followed the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) when he went out to relieve himself, and he used to not turn around. So I drew near to him and he said: ‘Bring me some stones that I may wipe (clean) myself with, and do not bring me any b... [Full Article...]
