Etiquettes of Relieving Oneself in Islam — Based on Qur’an and Hadith
From: Fiqhi Ahkam wa Masail, Volume 1, Page 33
Islam is a complete code of life that provides guidance in every aspect—both worldly and religious. Among these teachings is the etiquette related to relieving oneself, a natural need, yet Islam has distinguished it with rules and manners that elevate human conduct above that of animals.
Our religion emphasizes purity and cleanliness, and thus expects every Muslim to maintain both spiritual and physical cleanliness.
Below are the summarized Shar‘i etiquettes (آداب شرعیہ) that a Muslim should observe when entering the toilet and while relieving oneself.
When a Muslim enters the toilet, he should enter with the left foot first and recite the following du‘ā before entering:
"بِسْمِ اللهِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْخُبْثِ وَالْخَبَائِثِ"
“In the Name of Allah. O Allah, I seek Your protection from male and female devils.”
Upon leaving the toilet, step out with the right foot first, and say:
"غُفْرَانَكَ"
“I seek Your forgiveness.”
You may also say:
"الْـحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَذْهَبَ عَنِّي الْأَذَى وَعَافَانِي"
“All praise is due to Allah who removed harm from me and granted me relief.”
If relieving oneself in an open area (outside of enclosed spaces), one must seek a secluded spot, hidden from people’s view.
It is forbidden to face or turn your back towards the Qiblah while relieving oneself.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ prohibited this.
A Muslim must ensure that his body and clothing are protected from urine splashes. Choosing a soft surface can help minimize splashes.
One should not urinate or relieve oneself in the following places:
Such actions cause harm and discomfort to others.
One must not carry items containing Qur’anic verses or the name of Allah into the toilet. If necessary, they should be properly covered or placed inside a pocket or cloth.
One must not engage in conversation while relieving himself.
Allah dislikes this action.
Also, recitation of the Qur’an during this time is prohibited.
Using the following is prohibited:
One must not leave any traces of impurity on the body. If any remains, it will cause the clean part to become impure.
Some jurists argue that istinjā must precede wuḍū, based on the narration:
"يَغْسِلُ ذَكَرَهُ وَيَتَوَضَّأُ"
“He should wash his private part, then perform wuḍū.”
Imām Nawawī رحمه الله says:
“It is better to perform istinjā before wuḍū to avoid scholarly disagreement.”
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"اسْتَنْزِهُوا مِنَ الْبَوْلِ، فَإِنَّ عَامَّةَ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ مِنْهُ"
“Protect yourselves from urine, for most punishment in the grave is because of it.”
Ḥaḍrat Shabīb Abū Rūḥ رضي الله عنه narrated:
“…إِنَّهُ يَلْبِسُ عَلَيْنَا الْقُرْآنَ… لَا يُحْسِنُونَ الْوُضُوءَ"
“They confuse us in the recitation of Qur’an… because they do not perform proper wuḍū. Whoever prays with us should perform proper wuḍū.”
"فِيهِ رِجَالٌ يُحِبُّونَ أَنْ يَتَطَهَّرُوا…"
“In it (Qubā’) are men who love to purify themselves, and Allah loves those who purify themselves.”
Surah al-Nūr 24:108
When they were asked, they replied:
“We use stones and follow with water.”
These etiquettes and rulings concerning relieving oneself reflect Islam’s comprehensive approach to both physical and spiritual purity. The beauty of a Muslim’s personality is perfected when he follows the principles of cleanliness, modesty, and dignity taught by the Prophet ﷺ.
Islam has elevated mankind from an animalistic level to one of honor, discipline, and purity. This is what distinguishes a Muslim in every aspect of life.
By observing these etiquettes:
May Allah grant us the ability to purify our outer and inner selves, adopt noble manners, and act upon the commands of the Shari‘ah with sincerity.
Āmīn.
From: Fiqhi Ahkam wa Masail, Volume 1, Page 33
✦ Islam: The Religion of Purity
Islam is a complete code of life that provides guidance in every aspect—both worldly and religious. Among these teachings is the etiquette related to relieving oneself, a natural need, yet Islam has distinguished it with rules and manners that elevate human conduct above that of animals.
Our religion emphasizes purity and cleanliness, and thus expects every Muslim to maintain both spiritual and physical cleanliness.
Below are the summarized Shar‘i etiquettes (آداب شرعیہ) that a Muslim should observe when entering the toilet and while relieving oneself.
◈ Supplication for Entering the Toilet
When a Muslim enters the toilet, he should enter with the left foot first and recite the following du‘ā before entering:
"بِسْمِ اللهِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْخُبْثِ وَالْخَبَائِثِ"
“In the Name of Allah. O Allah, I seek Your protection from male and female devils.”
Reference: Fatḥ al-Bārī 1/244, Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 6
◈ Supplications for Exiting the Toilet
Upon leaving the toilet, step out with the right foot first, and say:
"غُفْرَانَكَ"
“I seek Your forgiveness.”
Reference: Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 30, Jāmi‘ al-Tirmidhī: 7
You may also say:
"الْـحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَذْهَبَ عَنِّي الْأَذَى وَعَافَانِي"
“All praise is due to Allah who removed harm from me and granted me relief.”
Reference: Sunan Ibn Mājah: 301 (Da‘īf)
◈ Privacy and Choice of Location
If relieving oneself in an open area (outside of enclosed spaces), one must seek a secluded spot, hidden from people’s view.
◈ Prohibition of Facing the Qiblah
It is forbidden to face or turn your back towards the Qiblah while relieving oneself.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ prohibited this.
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 144, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 264
◈ Avoiding Urine Splashes
A Muslim must ensure that his body and clothing are protected from urine splashes. Choosing a soft surface can help minimize splashes.
◈ Prohibited Locations
One should not urinate or relieve oneself in the following places:
- Public pathways
- Shaded resting areas
- Near springs and water bodies
Reference: Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 25, Sunan Ibn Mājah: 328, Musnad Aḥmad 3/36
Such actions cause harm and discomfort to others.
◈ Avoid Carrying Items with Allah’s Name
One must not carry items containing Qur’anic verses or the name of Allah into the toilet. If necessary, they should be properly covered or placed inside a pocket or cloth.
◈ Refraining from Talking
One must not engage in conversation while relieving himself.
Allah dislikes this action.
Reference: Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 15, Sunan Ibn Mājah: 342, Musnad Aḥmad 3/36
Also, recitation of the Qur’an during this time is prohibited.
◈ Correct Method of Istinjā (Cleansing)
- After relieving oneself, one should cleanse using water or dry objects (like stones or tissues).
- Using both is best.
- At least three wipes should be done for thorough cleaning.
- Tissues or cloth can also be used if cleanliness is fully achieved.
◈ Prohibited Materials for Istinjā
Using the following is prohibited:
- Bones
- Animal dung or manure
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 156, Sunan al-Nasā’ī: 39
◈ Ensure Full Removal of Impurity
One must not leave any traces of impurity on the body. If any remains, it will cause the clean part to become impure.
◈ Sequence of Istinjā and Wuḍū
Some jurists argue that istinjā must precede wuḍū, based on the narration:
"يَغْسِلُ ذَكَرَهُ وَيَتَوَضَّأُ"
“He should wash his private part, then perform wuḍū.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 303
Imām Nawawī رحمه الله says:
“It is better to perform istinjā before wuḍū to avoid scholarly disagreement.”
◈ Negligence in Urination and Punishment in the Grave
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"اسْتَنْزِهُوا مِنَ الْبَوْلِ، فَإِنَّ عَامَّةَ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ مِنْهُ"
“Protect yourselves from urine, for most punishment in the grave is because of it.”
Reference: Sunan al-Dāraqutnī 1/127 Ḥadīth 457, authenticated by Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar. Origin found in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 216, Muslim 292
◈ Emphasis on Proper Wuḍū
Ḥaḍrat Shabīb Abū Rūḥ رضي الله عنه narrated:
“…إِنَّهُ يَلْبِسُ عَلَيْنَا الْقُرْآنَ… لَا يُحْسِنُونَ الْوُضُوءَ"
“They confuse us in the recitation of Qur’an… because they do not perform proper wuḍū. Whoever prays with us should perform proper wuḍū.”
Reference: Musnad Aḥmad 3/47247
◈ The People of Qubā’ and the Virtue of Purity
"فِيهِ رِجَالٌ يُحِبُّونَ أَنْ يَتَطَهَّرُوا…"
“In it (Qubā’) are men who love to purify themselves, and Allah loves those who purify themselves.”
Surah al-Nūr 24:108
When they were asked, they replied:
“We use stones and follow with water.”
Reference: Mukhtaṣar Zawā’id Musnad al-Bazzār 1/155 (Da‘īf)
Conclusion
These etiquettes and rulings concerning relieving oneself reflect Islam’s comprehensive approach to both physical and spiritual purity. The beauty of a Muslim’s personality is perfected when he follows the principles of cleanliness, modesty, and dignity taught by the Prophet ﷺ.
Islam has elevated mankind from an animalistic level to one of honor, discipline, and purity. This is what distinguishes a Muslim in every aspect of life.
By observing these etiquettes:
- His worship becomes correct and accepted
- His health and hygiene are preserved
- The environment remains clean and safe for others
- And he draws closer to Allah
May Allah grant us the ability to purify our outer and inner selves, adopt noble manners, and act upon the commands of the Shari‘ah with sincerity.
Āmīn.
