Ruling on Facing the Qiblah During Relieving Oneself: Legal Perspective and Details
(Source: Fatawa Arkan al-Islam)
❖ Question
What is the ruling on facing or turning one’s back to the Qiblah while relieving oneself?
❖ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
The scholars of Islam have expressed differing views on this matter. The details are as follows:
① First Opinion: Prohibited in Open Spaces
Some scholars hold that:
- If one is in an open space (without any wall or building), it is ḥarām to face or turn one’s back to the Qiblah while relieving oneself.
- The evidence for this view is taken from the narration of Abu Ayyub (RA):
“لا تَسْتَقْبِلُوا الْقِبْلَةَ بِغَائِطٍ وَلَا بَوْلٍ وَلَا تَسْتَدْبِرُوهَا وَلَكِنْ شَرِّقُوا أَوْ غَرِّبُوا”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 144; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 264)
Meaning: “When you go to relieve yourselves, do not face the Qiblah nor turn your back to it, but rather face east or west.”
- Abu Ayyub (RA) further said:
“When we came to al-Shām, we found that the toilets were built facing the Qiblah, so we would turn away from them and seek forgiveness from Allah.”
Conclusion from this narration:
- In open spaces, facing or turning one’s back to the Qiblah is impermissible.
- Inside a building, this ruling does not apply.
② Second Opinion: Permissible to Turn Back Indoors
This view is based on the narration of ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar (RA):
“رَقَيْتُ يَوْمًا عَلَى بَيْتِ حَفْصَةَ، فَرَأَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ يَقْضِي حَاجَتَهُ مُسْتَقْبِلَ الشَّامِ مُسْتَدْبِرَ الْكَعْبَةِ”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 3102)
Meaning: “One day I climbed the roof of Ḥafṣah’s house and saw the Prophet ﷺ relieving himself facing al-Shām with his back towards the Kaʿbah.”
From this narration:
- Inside a building, it is permissible to turn one’s back to the Qiblah.
- Facing the Qiblah indoors is still impermissible, as the prohibition is absolute in this regard.
③ Third Opinion: Prohibited in All Situations
Some scholars hold that:
- Whether indoors or outdoors, facing or turning one’s back to the Qiblah while relieving oneself is impermissible.
Their reasoning:
- The narration of Ibn ʿUmar is interpreted as occurring before the prohibition was revealed.
- The prohibitive narration is considered stronger as it overrides the earlier allowance.
- The narration of Abu Ayyub is a verbal command, whereas Ibn ʿUmar’s report is an action. Verbal commands are given precedence over actions because actions can have multiple possible explanations — such as:
- Exceptional circumstances
- Forgetfulness
- Other specific conditions
④ Preferred Opinion (Rājiḥ View)
According to the author:
- In open spaces: Facing or turning one’s back to the Qiblah is ḥarām.
- Indoors:
- Turning one’s back is permissible.
- Facing the Qiblah is not permissible, as the prohibition is absolute.
⑤ Additional Points
- Facing the Qiblah is considered more severely prohibited than turning one’s back.
- Although turning one’s back is allowed indoors, it is better and more respectful to avoid it whenever possible.
⑥ Geographical Clarification
- The instruction to face east or west applies to places north or south of Makkah, such as Madinah, al-Shām, and Yemen.
- In countries east or west of Makkah — such as Pakistan, India, China, North Africa, and the USA — the Qiblah lies in the east or west. Therefore, in these regions, facing east or west while relieving oneself would also be prohibited.
ھٰذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
