Islamic Ruling on Facing the Qiblah While Relieving Oneself

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