Islamic toilet etiquette
{{Short description|Rules in Islam when going to the toilet}}
{{hatnote|Part of Islamic hygienical jurisprudence.}}
{{Fiqh |hygiene}}
Islamic toilet etiquette is a set of personal hygiene rules in Islam that concerns going to the toilet. This code of Islamic hygienical jurisprudence is called Qaḍāʾ al-Ḥāǧa ({{Langx|ar|قضاء الحاجة}}).
Personal hygiene is mentioned in a single verse of the Quran in the context of ritual purification from a minor source of impurity, known as the Wuḍūʾ verse; its interpretation is contentious between different legal schools and sects of Islam.Verse 5:6 Further requirements with regard to personal hygiene are derived from a Hadith, and these requirements also differ between sects.{{Cite book|last=E|first=CHAUMONT|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/399624|title=The encyclopaedia of Islam.|publisher=Brill|others=H. A. R. Gibb, P. J. Bearman|year=2002|isbn=90-04-16121-X|edition=|volume=XI|location=Leiden|pages=218|oclc=399624}}{{citation|author=Sachiko Murata|title=The Tao of Islam|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xRqDv90bAqsC|year=1992|chapter=ch. 3 The Two Hands of God|publisher=SUNY Press |isbn=978-0-7914-0913-8}}
Rules
A Muslim must first find an acceptable place away from standing water, people's pathways, or shade.Narrated by Abu Hurairah and collected in Sahih Muslim (Book 002, Number 0516 It is advised that it is better to enter the area with the left foot,Narrated by Anas bin Malik and collected in Sahih al-Bukhari (Volume 1, Book 4, Number 144) and Sahih Muslim (Book 003, Number 729){{failed verification|date=April 2022}} and it is prohibited to face directly towards the Qibla (direction of prayer towards Mecca) or directly opposite from it.{{Citation|last=Shu'aib|first=Tajuddin B.|title=Qadaahul Haajah (Relieving Oneself)|url=http://www.msawest.com/islam/fundamentals/pillars/prayer/prescribed/pp1_2.html|work=The Prescribed Prayer Made Simple|archive-url=https://archive.today/20090819060534/http://www.msawest.com/islam/fundamentals/pillars/prayer/prescribed/pp1_2.html|publisher=MSA West Compendium of Muslim Texts|access-date=2009-03-10|archive-date=2009-08-19|url-status=dead}} It is reported in the collection of hadith, Sahih al-Bukhari, that just before entering the toilet, Muhammad said: ({{Langx|ar|اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْخُبُثِ وَالْخَبَائِثِ|translit=Allāhumma ʾinnī ʾaʿuḏu bika mina al-Ḫubuṯi wa-al-Ḫabāʾiṯi|links=|lit="Oh God, I seek refuge in You from that which is evil (m.) and that which is evil (f.)")}}.{{Cite web|title=Sahih al-Bukhari 142 - Ablutions (Wudu') - كتاب الوضوء - Sunnah.com - Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)|url=https://sunnah.com/bukhari:142|access-date=2021-12-03|website=sunnah.com}} Following his example, Muslims are advised to say this Dua before entering into the toilet.
While on the toilet, one must remain silent. Talking and initiating or answering greetings are strongly discouraged. When defecating together, two men cannot converse, nor look at each other's genitals.[http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/engagement/resources/texts/muslim/hadith/bukhari/004.sbt.html#001.004.155] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525070903/http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/engagement/resources/texts/muslim/hadith/bukhari/004.sbt.html|date=2011-05-25}}[http://www.holyebooks.org/islam/hadith_of_bukhari/004.sbt.html#001.004.155] Eating any food while on the toilet is forbidden.{{Citation |url=http://www.msawest.com/islam/fundamentals/pillars/prayer/prescribed/pp1_2.html |publisher=MSA West Compendium of Muslim Texts |last=Shu'aib |first=Tajuddin B. |work=The Prescribed Prayer Made Simple |title=Qadaahul Haajah (Relieving Oneself) |access-date=2009-03-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20090819060534/http://www.msawest.com/islam/fundamentals/pillars/prayer/prescribed/pp1_2.html |archive-date=2009-08-19 }}
After defecating, the anus must be washed with water{{citation needed|date=April 2023}} using the left hand, or an odd number of smooth stones or pebbles called jamrah or hijaarah (Sahih Al-Bukhari 161, Book 4, Hadith 27). Many jurists agree that toilet paper suffices in place of these stones.{{Cite web |last=IslamQA |date=2012-09-14 |title=Toilet Paper |url=https://islamqa.org/shafii/qibla-shafii/34220/toilet-paper/ |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=IslamQA |language=en-GB}} Similarly, the penis or vulva should be washed with water using the left hand after urinating, a procedure called istinja. It is commonly done using a vessel known as a Aftabeh, Lota, or bodna.
When leaving the toilet, one is advised to exit with the right foot{{failed verification|date=April 2022}} and say the Dua for leaving bathroom/toilet: "'الحمد لله الذي أذهب عني الأذى وعافاني'Alhamdu lillahil lazi azha-ba annill Aza Wa AA Fani.{{Cite web|last=mg|title=Dua for bathroom : Dua for Entering & leaving bathroom(Toilet)|url=https://www.muslimgoogle.com/2020/09/Dua-for-bathroom.html|access-date=2020-10-04|website=muslim google}} "Praise be to Allah who relieved me of the filth and gave me relief."
See also
- Ghusl
- Wudu
- Asher yatzar, a Jewish blessing after, e.g., defecation
- Bidet shower
- Lota (vessel)
- Squat toilet
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- Islamic toilet etiquette in the [http://www.religiousrules.com/Islampurity04emissions.htm#Urine1 hadith] and [http://www.religiousrules.com/Islampurity04emissions.htm#Cleaning2 fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence)]
- [https://bootymint.com/blogs/blog/how-to-use-a-lota-the-secret-to-islamic-hygiene] - HOW TO USE A LOTA: THE SECRET TO ISLAMIC HYGIENE.
{{Islam topics|state=collapsed}}
{{Toilets}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Islamic Toilet Etiquette}}
Category:Etiquette by situation