Islamic toilet etiquette

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Islamic jurisprudence
(fiqh)
Hygiene
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Islamic studies

The Islamic faith has particular rules regarding personal hygiene when going to the toilet. This code is known as Qadaa' al-Haajah. Eating any food while on the toilet is strictly forbidden.[1][2]

Issues of chirality, such as whether one uses the left or right hand and foot to step into or out of toilet areas, are derived from hadith sources.[3] The only issue which the Qur'an mentions is the one of washing one's hands especially following going to the toilet which is mentioned in verse 5:6.

Contents

  • Rules 1
  • See also 2
  • Notes 3
  • External links 4

Rules

A Muslim must first find an acceptable place away from standing water, or people's pathways or shade.[4] They are advised that it is better to enter the area with the left foot,[5] facing away from the Qiblah.[1]

While on the toilet, one must remain silent. Talking, answering greetings or greeting others is strongly discouraged.[1] The private parts must be washed with water after defecating (a process called anal cleansing with water) and after urinating. When defecating together, two men cannot converse, nor look at each other's genitals.[6] A man should not touch his genitals with the right hand.[7][8][9][10][11][12][13]

When leaving the toilet, one is advised to leave with the right foot,[5] and also say a prayer – "Praise be to Allah who relieved me of the filth and gave me relief."[1] This is similar in concept to Asher yatzar, the prayers said by orthodox Jews when leaving the toilet in which they thank God for the orifices used to defecate/urinate,[14] and exact ways of proceeding and accompanying prayers are also specified in traditional Zoroastrianism.[15] It is also reported in the Hadith of Bukhari that whenever Muhammad went to the toilet, he said "In the name of Allah, O Allah! I seek refuge with You from all offensive and wicked things" (alternate translation: "from evil deeds and evil spirits").[16]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d Shu'aib, Tajuddin B., "Qadaahul Haajah (Relieving Oneself)", The Prescribed Prayer Made Simple ( 
  2. ^ Niamh Horan (April 8, 2007), Surgeons perform delicate operation for Muslims,  
  3. ^ Sachiko Murata (1992), "ch. 3 The Two Hands of God", The Tao of Islam,  
  4. ^ Narrated by Abu Hurairah and collected in Sahih Muslim (Book 002, Number 0516
  5. ^ a b Narrated by Anas bin Malik and collected in Sahih al-Bukhari (Volume 1, Book 4, Number 144) and Sahih Muslim (Book 003, Number 729)
  6. ^ Sunaan ibn Majah, 1.342
  7. ^ Sunaan Abu Dawud, 1.1.0031
  8. ^ Mishkat, 1.185
  9. ^ Mishkat, 1.183
  10. ^ Sunaan Nasai, 1.24, 25
  11. ^ Sahih Muslim, 2.0512
  12. ^ Sahih Bukhari, 1.4.156
  13. ^ "Whenever anyone of you drinks water, he should not breathe in the drinking utensil, and whenever anyone of you goes to a lavatory, he is advised better to neither touch his penis nor clean his private parts with his right hand." (Sahih Bukhari, 1. 4.155)[1][2]
  14. ^ http://judaism.about.com/od/prayersworhiprituals/f/asheryatzar.htm See http://www.torahzone.com/AsherYatzar.htm for the exact text.
  15. ^ Sad Dar 56:1-2. Also advocated [http://zoroastriansnet.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/baj-tarikats_z.pdf here.
  16. ^ Hadith of Bukhari: Volumes I, II, III & IV. 1944. P.39. Hadith 1:144.

External links

  • Islamic toilet etiquette in the hadith and fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence)
Equipment
Types
Cultural aspects
Urine related aspects
Historical terms
See also
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