Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … The wording in Sahih Ibn Hibban is as follows: “Two men should not sit together on the toilet talking to each other, each one seeing the private parts of his companion, for Allah is displeased with such a situation.” … From these narrations, it is understood that Allah’s displeasure is connected to both exposure (of the private parts) and conversation occurring together. Merely speaking during the fulfillment of one’s need (relieving oneself) is permissible, as is established by the following hadith: It is narrated from Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah radi Allahu anhu, who said: A man passed by the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam while he was urinating. The man greeted him with salam, and the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said to him: “When you see me in such a state, do not greet me with salam, for if you do so, I will not reply to you.” (Ibn Majah: 346) Shaykh al-Albani said: The apparent meaning of the blessed hadith is that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam uttered this statement while in the state of urination itself. Therefore, it is established that speaking during the fulfillment of one’s need is permissible. (Silsilah Sahihah: 197) Similarly, speaking while bathing (ghusl) is also permissible, as on the occasion of the conquest of Makkah, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam spoke upon the arrival of Umm Hani; the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and Sayyidah Aisha radi Allahu anha would converse while bathing together; Sayyiduna Ayyub was bathing naked when Allah ta’ala spoke to him.