3. Before entering the toilet one should remove any item upon which the name of Allah Ta’ala or Nabi (Salallahu alaihi wasallam) or any aayat of the Quraan is written on it. E.g. A ring or chain.

عن انس رضى الله عنه قال كان النبى صلى الله عليه و سلم اذا دخل الخلاء نزع خاتمه. (ترمذى 1/305 رقم 1746)

Hadhrat Anas (Radiallahu Anhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) used to remove his ring when he entered the toilet.

4. One should enter the toilet with the left foot and leave with the right foot.

ثم يدخل باليسرى ...ثم يخرج برجله اليمنى (شامى 1/345)

5. At the time of relieving oneself one should not face towards the qibla nor face one’s back towards the qibla.

عن ابى ايوب الانصارى رضى الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم اذا اتى احدكم الغائط فلا يستقبل القبلة ولا يولّها ظهره. (بخارى1/26 )

Hadhrat Abu Ayyub Ansaari (Radiallahu anhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “When any of you wishes to relieve himself, he should not do so facing the qiblah nor should he turn his back towards the qiblah.”

6. One should remove one’s lower garment at the time when one draws close to the ground so that the least amount of time is spent with the satr exposed.

عن ابن عمر رضى الله عنه قال كان النبى صلى الله عليه و سلم اذا اراد الحاجة لا يرفع ثوبه حتى يدنو من الارض. (ابو داود 1/4)

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Umar (Radiallahu Anhu) reports that whenever Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) intended to relieve himself, he used to lift up the lower garment as he drew close to the ground.

7. One should use clods of sand (or toilet paper) as well as water to clean oneself.

عن ابى هريرة رضى الله عنه عن النبى صلى الله عليه و سلم قال نزلت هذه الآية فى اهل قباء فيه رجال يحبون ان يتطهروا قال كانوا يستنجون بالماء فنزلت فيهم هذه الأية. (ترمذى 2/141 )

Hadhrat Abu Huraira(Radiallahu Anhu) reports that Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: The Aayat فيه رجال يحبون ان يتطهروا" " (In Qubaa are those who like to observe purity) was revealed regarding the people of Qubaa on account of them making istinjaa with water.

8. One should use the left hand to clean oneself. To make istinjaa with the right hand is impermissible.

عن عبدالله بن ابى قتادة عن ابيه رضى الله عنه عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال اذا بال احدكم فلا يأخذنّ ذكره بيمينه و لايستنجى بيمينه (بخارى 1/27)

Hadhrat Abdullah ibn Abi Qataada (Radiallahu anhu) narrates from his father that Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “When any of you relieves himself, then he should not hold his private part with his right hand nor should he make istinjaa with his right hand.

9. One should not talk while relieving oneself.

عن ابن عمر رضى الله عنه ان رجلا مرّ ورسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يبول فسلم فلم يرد عليه. (مسلم 1/161)

Hadhrat Ibn Umar (Radiallahu anhu) mentions that a sahaabi passed by Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) whilst Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi wasallam) was relieving himself. The sahaabi made salaam to Nabi (Salallahu alaihi wasallam) but Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) did not reply to his salaam.

10. One should not eat anything in the toilet.

11. One should sit and relieve oneself. It is makrooh for one to relieve oneself in the standing position.

عن عائشة رضى الله عنها قالت من حدثكم ان النبى صلى الله عليه و سلم كان يبول قائما فلا تصدقوه ما كان يبول الا قاعدا. (ترمذى 1/9)

Hadhrat Aaisha (Radiallahu anha) mentions: “Whoever informs you that Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) used to relieve himself standing, then do not believe him. Nabi (Salallahu alaihi wasallam) used to sit and relieve himself.”

12. One should exercise extreme caution with regards to urine splashes. Negligence in this regard results in punishment of the grave.

عن ابى هريرة رضى الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم اكثر عذاب القبر من البول (ابن ماجة ص29)

Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radiallahu anhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Most people will be punished in the grave on account of not exercising caution in regard to urine splashes.”

13. One should not relieve oneself at such places which causes inconvenience to others e.g. on a pathway.

عن ابى هريرة رضى الله عنه ان رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم قال اتقوا اللعانين قالوا ومااللعانان يا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال الذى يتخلى فى طريق الناس او فى ظلّهم (مسلم 1/132)

Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radiallahu anhu) mentions that Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Refrain from the two causes of earning curses of people.” Sahaaba (Radiallahu anhum) asked: “What are they O Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam)?” Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) replied: “Relieving oneself on the pathways or in places where people take shade.”

14. One should relieve oneself in an area which is protected from the gazes of people.

عن جابر بن عبد الله رضى الله عنه قال : إن النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم كان إذا أراد البراز انطلق حتى لا يراه أحد . (سنن أبي داود 1/2)

Hadhrat Jaabir (Radiallahu anhu) reports: When Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) intended to relieve himself he would go to a place protected from the gazes of people.

15. Recite the following duaa upon leaving the toilet:

غُفرَانَكَ ألحَمْدُ لِلّهِ الّذِى أَذْهَبَ عَنّى الأذَى و عَافانِى.

O Allah. I seek your forgiveness. All praise is due to Allah Ta’aala who has removed from me that which was harmful and granted me ease.

ألحَمْدُ للهِ الَّذِى أَذْهَبَ عَنِّى مَا يُؤْذِيْنِى وَ أَمْسَكَ عَلَىَّ مَا يَنْفَعُنِى.

All praise is due to Allah Ta’ala who has removed from me that which harms me and kept within me that which benefits me.

عن انس بن مالك رضى الله عنه قال كان النبى صلى الله عليه و سلم اذا خرج من الخلاء قال ألحَمْدُ لِلّهِ الّذِى أَذْهَبَ عَنّى الأذَى و عَافانِى. (ابن ماجة ص26)

Hadrat Anas (Radiallahu Anhu) reports that Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) used to recite the dua after leaving the toilet ألحَمْدُ لِلّهِ الّذِى أَذْهَبَ عَنّى الأذَى وَ عَافانِى

عن عائشة رضى الله عنها قالت كان النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم اذا خرج من الخلاء قال غُفرَانَكَ. (ترمذى 1/7)

Hadrat Aaisha (Radiallahu Anha) reports that Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) used to recite غُفرَانَكَ after leaving the toilet.

عن طاؤس قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم اذا خرج احدكم من الخلاء فليقل ألحَمْدُ للهِ الَّذِى أَذْهَبَ عَنِّى مَا يُؤْذِيْنِى وَ أَمْسَكَ عَلَىَّ مَا يَنْفَعُنِى. (مصنف لابن ابى شيبة 1/12)

Taw’oos (Rahmatullahi alaih) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “When any of you leave the toilet he should say:

ألحَمْدُ ِللهِ الَّذِى أَذْهَبَ عَنِّى مَا يُؤْذِيْنِى وَ أَمْسَكَ عَلَىَّ مَا يَنْفَعُنِى.

16. One should wait for a few minutes after relieving himself to allow the remaining droplets of urine to come out.

امَا نفس الاستبراء حتى يطمئن قلبه بزوال الرشح فهو فرض و هو المراد بالوجوب ولذا قال الشرنبلالى يلزم الرجل الاستبراء حتى يزول اثر البول و يطمئن قلبه. و قال عبرت باللزوم لكونه اقوى من الواجب لان هذا يفوت الجواز لفوته فلا يصح له الشروع فى الوضوء حتى يطمئن بزوال الرشح. (شامى 1/344)

17. If one has to relieve himself in an open field, one should look for a suitable place to relieve himself i.e. a place where one will not be seen and ground that is soft so that the urine does not splash onto oneself.

كتب اليه ابو موسى رضى الله عنه انى كنت مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم...ثم قال اذا اراد احدكم ان يبول فليرتد لبوله موضعا. (ابو داود 1/2 )

Hadhrat Abu Moosa (Radiallahu Anhu) wrote to him: I was with Nabi (Sallallahu Alalhi Wasallam)...then Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “When you intend relieving yourself, then search for a suitable place to do so.”

18. One should ensure one’s waste goes into the pan and one does not mess around it.

19. After relieving oneself, one should rinse the hands using soap in order to remove any bad odour.

عن أَبى هريرة قال كان النّبىّ صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا أَتَى الخلاء أَتيته بماء في تور أو ركوة فاستنجى ثم مسح يده على الأَرض ثم أتيته بإناء آخر فتوضأ. (أبو داود 1/7 )

Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah( Radiallahu Anhu) reports that when Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) used to go to relieve himself I would present the water to him for istinjaa in a utensil. After he made istinjaa, he rubbed his hand on the ground (to remove any odour). I then presented another utensil wherefrom he made wudhu.

20. When using public toilets, one should ensure no inconvenience is caused to others by smoking in the toilet or leaving it in a dirty condition.

21. A person, who is terminally ill or hospitalised and is unable to go to the toilet, is allowed to pass urine in a bottle. Thereafter the urine should be disposed of.

عن حكيمة بنت اميمة ابنت رقيقة عن امها انها قالت كان للنبى صلى الله عليه و سلم قدح من عيدان تحت سريره يبول فيه بالليل. (ابو داود 1/15)

Hukaima bint Umaymah reports from her mother saying: “Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) had a wooden utensil kept under his bed (at the time he was ill) in which he would pass water during the night.”

1. Q: Is it permissible for one to read newspapers, magazines or other literature in the toilet?

A: It is makrooh for one to read newspapers, magazines or other literature in the toilet.

ان هذه الحشوش محتضرة. (ابو داود 1/3)

ولا يطيل القعود على البول و الغائط. (الهندية 1/50)

2. Q: Can one use the urinals available in public toilets to relieve oneself?

A: One should not use the urinals to relieve oneself, instead one should sit and relieve himself in a secluded area.

(وكذا يكره)... و ان يبول قائما لما ورد من النهى عنه. (شامى 1/344)

3. Q: Is it permissible for one to suffice on using toilet paper for istinjaa?

A: One should not suffice on toilet paper, instead one should also use water.

(بنحو حجر)مما هو عين طاهرة قالعة لا قيمة لها كمدر (منق)لانه المقصود فيختار الابلغ والاسلم عن التلويث ولا يتقيد باقبال و ادبار شتاء و صيفا (وليس العدد) ثلاثا (بمسنون فيه) بل مستحب) والغسل بالماء الى ان يقع فى قلبه انه طهر ما لم يكن موسوسا فيقدر بثلاث كما مر. (شامى 1/337)

4. Q: Is it permissible to speak while relieving oneself in the toilet.

A: It is makrooh to speak while relieving oneself.

) وكذا يكره)...( قوله و التكلم عليهما) اى على البول و الغائط. (شامى 1/343)

5. Q: Is it better for one to relieve himself using the western toilet (high pan) or eastern toilet (low pan)?

A: It is sunnat to relieve oneself in a squatting position, and the squatting position is possible using the eastern pan. If one is forced to use the high pan, then he should ensure he saves himself from the urine splashes.

عن ابن عمر رضى الله عنه قال كان النبى صلى الله عليه و سلم اذا اراد الحاجة لا يرفع ثوبه حتى يدنو من الارض. (ابو داود 1/4)