Rules Concerning Use of Lavatory

It is obligatory to conceal one’s private parts in the toilet and at all times from adult persons even if they are one’s near relatives (like mother, sister etc.) Similarly, it is obligatory to conceal one’s private parts from insane persons, and from children who can discern between good and evil. However, husband and wife are exempted from this obligation.

While using the toilet for relieving oneself, the front or the back part of one’s body should not face the holy Kaaba.

It is recommended precaution that even a child should not be made to sit in the toilet with its face or back facing the qibla[1]. But if the child positions itself that way, it is not obligatory to divert it.

It is unlawful (haraam) to relieve oneself at the following four places:

1. In blind alleys, without the permission of the people who live there.

2. On the property (land) of a person who has not granted permission for the purpose.

3. At a place which is endowed (waqf) exclusively for its beneficiaries, like Madressas (religious schools).

4. On graves of believers (momineen), and at the sacred places whose sanctity will thus be violated.

In the same way one should avoid relieving oneself on the road side or under the shade of the fruit-yielding tree and also avoid facing the wind. One must also avoid relieving oneself in stationery water.

It is detestable (makrooh) to constrain one’s urge for urination or excretion, and if it is absolutely injurious to one’s health, it becomes unlawful (haraam). It is recommended (mustahab) to urinate before ritual prayer (namaz), before retiring to sleep, before sexual intercourse and after ejaculation.