Abu Dawud

Benefits and Issues:
«قطعوا ما أصابهم البول» "The one who would get urine on it, they would cut it off."
There is ambiguity here as to what exactly was being cut. In one of the other narrations of Abu Dawud, «جلد» "leather" is mentioned, and in another, «جسد» "body" is mentioned. The wording referring to "body" has been declared munkar (rejected) by Shaykh al-Albani rahimahullah in Da‘if Abi Dawud, and by «جلد» what is meant is the leather garment that was worn. Thus, the thing that was cut was not a part of the body, but rather the garment (cloth or leather) that would get urine on it. This is also supported by the narration in Sahih al-Bukhari, whose wording is: «اذا اصاب ثوب احدهم قرضه» [بخاري، الوضوء، حديث : 226] "When urine would get on the garment of any of them, he would cut it off."

The following points are derived from this:
➊ Islam has always been an advocate of purity and cleanliness. Among the Children of Israel, these rulings were extremely strict. The wretched one who incited people to oppose this religious command was punished in his grave.
➋ Preventing obedience to Allah and His Messenger, distorting it, or rendering it void through false interpretation is forbidden and an act of wretchedness, and such a person is deserving of Allah’s punishment.

30. Commentary:

➊ The aforementioned narration has been declared weak in its chain by our esteemed researcher, and he has further written that in Sahih Bukhari there is a narration of the same meaning which serves as its supporting evidence. Meanwhile, Shaykh al-Albani rahimahullah writes regarding it that the mentioned narration is authentic in its mawquf (stopped) form, whereas in its marfu‘ (connected to the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) form, it is found in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. In any case, from the above discussion it is clear that the mentioned narration is authentic, actionable, and a valid proof. And Allah knows best.

➋ “Like a woman urinates”—this comparison can be in reference to urinating while sitting and also in privacy. Some say that the person who uttered these words would not have been someone trained by you, but rather a non-Muslim, a hypocrite, or a new Muslim, because some ahadith indicate that the one who said this was a Muslim, and in fact, some ahadith even suggest that this statement was made among the noble Companions radi Allahu anhum themselves. See: [فتح الباري : 328/1]. And its purpose was certainly not to belittle you or, Allah forbid, to insult you; such a thing cannot even be imagined from the noble Companions radi Allahu anhum. The correct view is that the etiquettes of relieving oneself were taught by you sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. Islam has beautifully explained these etiquettes, whereas in the time of ignorance (jahiliyyah), there was little concern for the etiquettes of relieving oneself. They would not even take care for privacy or concealment, and would urinate standing in front of each other. The noble Companions radi Allahu anhum also grew up in that environment, so in the beginning, seeing you urinate in this manner, they expressed surprise and said in amazement that this is how a woman urinates. Men are men—what need do they have for concealment and then to urinate sitting? In any case, later, when you sallallahu alayhi wa sallam gave them Islamic training, all these customs and habits of jahiliyyah were eliminated.

➌ “Cutting with scissors”—this refers to the cloth that would get urine on it, not the body, because that would be an unbearable hardship, i.e., something impossible to do. Otherwise, urine and feces exit from the body and inevitably touch the body, which is why ablution (istinja) is required. Further research on this is as follows: In one narration of Abu Dawud, the words «جلد» “leather” are mentioned, and in another narration of Abu Dawud, «جسد» “body” is mentioned. Shaykh al-Albani rahimahullah has declared the word “body” (jasad) to be munkar (rejected), and by “skin” is meant the leather garment that is worn. Thus, the thing that was cut was not a part of the body, but rather clothing (cloth or leather) that had urine on it. This is also supported by the narration of Sahih Bukhari. The words of that narration are: «إذا أصاب توب أحدھم، قرصہ» “When urine would get on the garment of any one of them, they would cut it off.” [صحیح البخاري، حدیث : 226]

Commentary:

(1)
One should ensure a screen (cover) while urinating in an open place.
This screen can be made using a tree, a wall, etc., or with something in one’s possession, just as the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used a shield as a screen.

(2)
Immodesty and shamelessness are the habits of non-Muslims.
They mock the modesty, chastity, and decency of Muslims so that Muslims may also adopt their habits and ways.
However, a true Muslim should not care about their taunts; rather, he should make it clear to them that your customs and ways are wrong and worthy of being abandoned.

(3)
Even among the Jews and Christians, the original legal ruling is to observe modesty, covering, and to maintain purity and cleanliness.
The manifestations of the present civilization are themselves contrary to their own law (shari‘ah) and the lives of their noble prophets (alayhim as-salam).

(4)
Calling towards sin or forbidding good and righteousness is a very grave crime.
Its punishment can be meted out even in the grave before the Day of Judgment.

(5)
This proves the punishment of the grave.

(6) (إِذَا أَصَابَهُمْ الْبَوْلُ قَرَضُوهُ بِالْمَقَارِيضِ)
When urine would get on them, they would cut it with scissors—there is ambiguity here as to what exactly they would cut. In one narration of Abu Dawud, the word (jild) “leather” is mentioned, and in another narration of Abu Dawud, (jasad) “body” is mentioned.
Shaykh al-Albani (rahimahullah) has declared the word “jasad” to be munkar (rejected), and by “jild” he has taken the meaning of leather clothing that is worn.
Thus, the thing that was cut was not a part of the body, but rather clothing (fabric or leather) that would get urine on it. This is also supported by the narration of Sahih al-Bukhari in this chapter.
The words of this narration are:
(إِذَا أَصَابَ ثَوْبَ اَحَدِهِم قَرَضَهُ) (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 226)
When urine would get on the clothing of any one of them, he would cut it off.

Benefit:
From this hadith, it is understood that one should ensure complete privacy at the time of urination and defecation. Furthermore, it demonstrates how easy and accommodating Islamic law is: the Children of Israel were commanded that if urine touched their clothes or similar items, they had to cut off that part of the cloth. However, our Shariah has commanded us to wash it, not to cut it.