❖ Islamic Etiquettes of Relieving Oneself and Principles of Purification ❖
◈ Supplication When Entering the Toilet
Narrated by Sayyiduna Anas (رضي الله عنه):
When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) intended to enter the toilet, he would recite:
"اَللّٰہُمَّ إِنِّیْ اَعُوْذُ بِکَ مِنَ الْخُبُثِ وَالْخَبَآءِثِ"
"O Allah! I seek refuge with You from male and female devils."
(Bukhari, Book of Ablution, Chapter: What to Say Upon Entering the Toilet 241. Muslim, Book of Menstruation, Chapter: What to Say When Intending to Enter the Toilet 573)
◈ Supplication When Exiting the Toilet
Narrated by Umm al-Mu'mineen Sayyidah Aisha (رضي الله عنها):
When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came out of the toilet, he would say:
"غُفْرَانَکَ"
"O Allah! I seek Your forgiveness."
(Abu Dawud, Book of Purification, Chapter: What a Man Says When Leaving the Toilet, 30. Tirmidhi 7. Al-Hakim 1/85, Al-Dhahabi, Al-Nawawi: Authentic)
Narrated by Sayyiduna Zayd ibn Arqam (رضي الله عنه):
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"The toilet is a place where jinn and devils are present, so when you go to the toilet, say:
"اَعُوْذُ بِاللّٰہِ مِنَ الْخُبُثِ وَالْخَبَآءِثِ"
‘I seek refuge with Allah from the male and female devils.’"
(Abu Dawud: 6, Ibn Majah: 692, Ibn Hibban, Al-Hakim, Al-Dhahabi: Authentic)
Narrated by Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه):
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever does not face or turn his back to the Qiblah while relieving himself will have a good deed recorded for him and a sin erased.”
(Al-Albani, Silsilah al-Ahadith al-Sahihah: 1089)
Narrated by Sayyiduna Abu Ayyub (رضي الله عنه):
“When you go to relieve yourselves, do not face the Qiblah nor turn your backs to it.”
(Bukhari, Book of Prayer, Chapter on the Qiblah of the People of Madinah, 493. Muslim, Book of Purification, 462)
◈ Exception: Indoors or Behind a Screen
Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما) stated:
He saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) relieving himself facing the direction of Sham with his back towards the Ka'bah.
(Bukhari, Book of Ablution, Chapter on Relieving Oneself Upon Two Bricks, 541. Muslim, Book of Purification, Chapter on Cleaning Oneself, 662)
➊ Emphasis on Odd Numbers
Narrated by Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه):
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever uses stones for istinja should use an odd number.”
(Bukhari, Book of Ablution, Chapter: Using an Odd Number of Stones, 261. Muslim, 732)
➋ Instruction to Use Three Stones
The Prophet (ﷺ) ordered to perform istinja using three stones.
(Abu Dawud, Book of Purification, Chapter on Disliking Facing the Qiblah During Relief, 8. Sunan al-Nasa’i, 40. Al-Daraqutni, Al-Nawawi: Authentic)
➌ Prohibition
The Prophet (ﷺ) forbade using dung or bones for istinja and also from using less than three stones.
(Muslim, Book of Purification, Chapter on Cleaning Oneself, Hadith 262)
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to perform istinja with water.
(Bukhari, Book of Ablution, Chapter on Cleaning with Water, 151. Muslim, Book of Purification, Chapter on Using Water After Defecation, 270)
Sayyiduna Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari (رضي الله عنه) narrated:
When the verse
"فِیْہِ رِجَالٌ یُّحِبُّوْنَ أَنْ یَّتَطَہَّرُوْا وَاللّٰہُ یُحِبُ الْمُطَّہِّرِیْنَ"
was revealed, the Prophet (ﷺ) asked the Ansar:
“Allah has praised your purification; how do you maintain it?”
They replied:
“We perform ablution before every prayer, perform Ghusl in the state of Janabah, and do istinja with water.”
(Ibn Majah, Book of Purification, Chapter on Istinja with Water: 553)
Sayyidah Aisha (رضي الله عنها) used to advise the female companions:
“Command your husbands to perform istinja with water, for the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to do the same.”
(Abu Dawud, Chapter: How to Uncover for Relief, 41)
➊ Seek an Elevated or Hidden Place
Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Jabir (رضي الله عنه) narrated:
“The Prophet (ﷺ) preferred to relieve himself in a high place or among a cluster of date-palm trees.”
(Tirmidhi, Book of Purification, Chapter on Istinja with Water, 19)
➋ Delay Uncovering the Body
Narrated by Sayyiduna Anas (رضي الله عنه):
“The Prophet (ﷺ) would not lift his garment until he was near the ground.”
(Muslim, Book of Menstruation, Chapter on Covering During Relief, 243)
➌ Distance from People’s Sight
The Prophet (ﷺ) would go so far away that no one could see him.
(Abu Dawud, Book of Purification, Chapter: Seeking a Distant Place When Relieving Oneself, Hadith 1 & 2)
➍ Avoid Conversation
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“When two people go to relieve themselves, they should conceal themselves and refrain from talking, for Allah dislikes that.”
(Al-Albani, Silsilah al-Ahadith al-Sahihah: 3120)
➊ General Habit
Sayyidah Aisha (رضي الله عنها) said:
“Whoever says that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to urinate standing is lying. He always urinated while sitting.”
(Tirmidhi, Book of Purification, Chapter: Prohibition of Urinating While Standing: 21)
➋ Occasional Exception
Sayyiduna Hudhayfah (رضي الله عنه) narrated:
“The Prophet (ﷺ) came to a garbage dump and urinated while standing.”
(Bukhari, Book of Ablution, Chapter: Urinating While Standing or Sitting: 224. Muslim: 372)
➌ Avoiding Urine Splashes
Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) narrated:
The Prophet (ﷺ) passed by two graves and said:
“They are being punished. They are not being punished for something major, but indeed it is major. One of them did not avoid being soiled by urine, and the other used to gossip.”
(Bukhari, Book of Ablution, Chapter: One of the Major Sins is Not Avoiding Urine, Hadith 216. Muslim, 292)
➊ Prohibition of Relieving Oneself on Paths and in Shade
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Avoid the two cursed acts.”
The companions asked: “What are they?”
He replied:
“Relieving oneself on people’s pathways or in shaded areas.”
(Muslim, Book of Purification, Chapter: Prohibition of Relieving Oneself on Roads or Under Shade, 269)
➋ Prohibition of Using the Right Hand for Istinja
Narrated by Sayyiduna Abu Qatadah (رضي الله عنه):
“None of you should touch his private part with his right hand, nor should he use it for cleaning after relieving himself.”
(Bukhari, Book of Ablution, Chapter: Prohibition of Istinja with the Right Hand, 153, 154. Muslim, Book of Purification, 262)
➌ Not Responding to Salām
Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (رضي الله عنهما) narrated:
The Prophet (ﷺ) was urinating when a man greeted him with Salām. He did not reply.
(Muslim, Book of Menstruation, Chapter on Tayammum, 370)
➍ Separate Utensils for Water and Purification
Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) narrated:
“When the Prophet (ﷺ) would go to the toilet, I would bring a container of water. He would clean himself with it, rub his hand on the ground, then perform ablution with water from another container.”
(Abu Dawud, Book of Purification, Chapter: Rubbing the Hand on the Ground After Istinja: 54. Ibn Hibban: Authentic)
This indicates that separate containers should be used for istinja and ablution, and that hands should be washed with soil or soap afterward to remove any smell.
❀ Complete Etiquettes of Relieving Oneself ❀
✿ Supplications for Entering and Exiting the Toilet
◈ Supplication When Entering the Toilet
Narrated by Sayyiduna Anas (رضي الله عنه):
When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) intended to enter the toilet, he would recite:
"اَللّٰہُمَّ إِنِّیْ اَعُوْذُ بِکَ مِنَ الْخُبُثِ وَالْخَبَآءِثِ"
"O Allah! I seek refuge with You from male and female devils."
(Bukhari, Book of Ablution, Chapter: What to Say Upon Entering the Toilet 241. Muslim, Book of Menstruation, Chapter: What to Say When Intending to Enter the Toilet 573)
◈ Supplication When Exiting the Toilet
Narrated by Umm al-Mu'mineen Sayyidah Aisha (رضي الله عنها):
When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came out of the toilet, he would say:
"غُفْرَانَکَ"
"O Allah! I seek Your forgiveness."
(Abu Dawud, Book of Purification, Chapter: What a Man Says When Leaving the Toilet, 30. Tirmidhi 7. Al-Hakim 1/85, Al-Dhahabi, Al-Nawawi: Authentic)
✿ The Toilet as a Place Frequented by Jinn
Narrated by Sayyiduna Zayd ibn Arqam (رضي الله عنه):
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"The toilet is a place where jinn and devils are present, so when you go to the toilet, say:
"اَعُوْذُ بِاللّٰہِ مِنَ الْخُبُثِ وَالْخَبَآءِثِ"
‘I seek refuge with Allah from the male and female devils.’"
(Abu Dawud: 6, Ibn Majah: 692, Ibn Hibban, Al-Hakim, Al-Dhahabi: Authentic)
✿ Avoid Facing or Turning Back to the Qiblah
Narrated by Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه):
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever does not face or turn his back to the Qiblah while relieving himself will have a good deed recorded for him and a sin erased.”
(Al-Albani, Silsilah al-Ahadith al-Sahihah: 1089)
Narrated by Sayyiduna Abu Ayyub (رضي الله عنه):
“When you go to relieve yourselves, do not face the Qiblah nor turn your backs to it.”
(Bukhari, Book of Prayer, Chapter on the Qiblah of the People of Madinah, 493. Muslim, Book of Purification, 462)
◈ Exception: Indoors or Behind a Screen
Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما) stated:
He saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) relieving himself facing the direction of Sham with his back towards the Ka'bah.
(Bukhari, Book of Ablution, Chapter on Relieving Oneself Upon Two Bricks, 541. Muslim, Book of Purification, Chapter on Cleaning Oneself, 662)
❀ Using Stones for Istinja (Cleaning)
➊ Emphasis on Odd Numbers
Narrated by Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه):
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever uses stones for istinja should use an odd number.”
(Bukhari, Book of Ablution, Chapter: Using an Odd Number of Stones, 261. Muslim, 732)
➋ Instruction to Use Three Stones
The Prophet (ﷺ) ordered to perform istinja using three stones.
(Abu Dawud, Book of Purification, Chapter on Disliking Facing the Qiblah During Relief, 8. Sunan al-Nasa’i, 40. Al-Daraqutni, Al-Nawawi: Authentic)
➌ Prohibition
The Prophet (ﷺ) forbade using dung or bones for istinja and also from using less than three stones.
(Muslim, Book of Purification, Chapter on Cleaning Oneself, Hadith 262)
❀ Using Water for Istinja
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to perform istinja with water.
(Bukhari, Book of Ablution, Chapter on Cleaning with Water, 151. Muslim, Book of Purification, Chapter on Using Water After Defecation, 270)
Sayyiduna Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari (رضي الله عنه) narrated:
When the verse
"فِیْہِ رِجَالٌ یُّحِبُّوْنَ أَنْ یَّتَطَہَّرُوْا وَاللّٰہُ یُحِبُ الْمُطَّہِّرِیْنَ"
was revealed, the Prophet (ﷺ) asked the Ansar:
“Allah has praised your purification; how do you maintain it?”
They replied:
“We perform ablution before every prayer, perform Ghusl in the state of Janabah, and do istinja with water.”
(Ibn Majah, Book of Purification, Chapter on Istinja with Water: 553)
Sayyidah Aisha (رضي الله عنها) used to advise the female companions:
“Command your husbands to perform istinja with water, for the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to do the same.”
(Abu Dawud, Chapter: How to Uncover for Relief, 41)
❀ Observing Modesty While Relieving Oneself
➊ Seek an Elevated or Hidden Place
Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Jabir (رضي الله عنه) narrated:
“The Prophet (ﷺ) preferred to relieve himself in a high place or among a cluster of date-palm trees.”
(Tirmidhi, Book of Purification, Chapter on Istinja with Water, 19)
➋ Delay Uncovering the Body
Narrated by Sayyiduna Anas (رضي الله عنه):
“The Prophet (ﷺ) would not lift his garment until he was near the ground.”
(Muslim, Book of Menstruation, Chapter on Covering During Relief, 243)
➌ Distance from People’s Sight
The Prophet (ﷺ) would go so far away that no one could see him.
(Abu Dawud, Book of Purification, Chapter: Seeking a Distant Place When Relieving Oneself, Hadith 1 & 2)
➍ Avoid Conversation
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“When two people go to relieve themselves, they should conceal themselves and refrain from talking, for Allah dislikes that.”
(Al-Albani, Silsilah al-Ahadith al-Sahihah: 3120)
❀ Urinating While Sitting
➊ General Habit
Sayyidah Aisha (رضي الله عنها) said:
“Whoever says that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to urinate standing is lying. He always urinated while sitting.”
(Tirmidhi, Book of Purification, Chapter: Prohibition of Urinating While Standing: 21)
➋ Occasional Exception
Sayyiduna Hudhayfah (رضي الله عنه) narrated:
“The Prophet (ﷺ) came to a garbage dump and urinated while standing.”
(Bukhari, Book of Ablution, Chapter: Urinating While Standing or Sitting: 224. Muslim: 372)
➌ Avoiding Urine Splashes
Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) narrated:
The Prophet (ﷺ) passed by two graves and said:
“They are being punished. They are not being punished for something major, but indeed it is major. One of them did not avoid being soiled by urine, and the other used to gossip.”
(Bukhari, Book of Ablution, Chapter: One of the Major Sins is Not Avoiding Urine, Hadith 216. Muslim, 292)
❀ Additional Rulings Related to Relief
➊ Prohibition of Relieving Oneself on Paths and in Shade
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Avoid the two cursed acts.”
The companions asked: “What are they?”
He replied:
“Relieving oneself on people’s pathways or in shaded areas.”
(Muslim, Book of Purification, Chapter: Prohibition of Relieving Oneself on Roads or Under Shade, 269)
➋ Prohibition of Using the Right Hand for Istinja
Narrated by Sayyiduna Abu Qatadah (رضي الله عنه):
“None of you should touch his private part with his right hand, nor should he use it for cleaning after relieving himself.”
(Bukhari, Book of Ablution, Chapter: Prohibition of Istinja with the Right Hand, 153, 154. Muslim, Book of Purification, 262)
➌ Not Responding to Salām
Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (رضي الله عنهما) narrated:
The Prophet (ﷺ) was urinating when a man greeted him with Salām. He did not reply.
(Muslim, Book of Menstruation, Chapter on Tayammum, 370)
➍ Separate Utensils for Water and Purification
Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) narrated:
“When the Prophet (ﷺ) would go to the toilet, I would bring a container of water. He would clean himself with it, rub his hand on the ground, then perform ablution with water from another container.”
(Abu Dawud, Book of Purification, Chapter: Rubbing the Hand on the Ground After Istinja: 54. Ibn Hibban: Authentic)
This indicates that separate containers should be used for istinja and ablution, and that hands should be washed with soil or soap afterward to remove any smell.
