Prohibition of Facing Qiblah While Urinating and Defecating: Islamic Guidelines

Table of Contents

Prohibition of Facing Qiblah While Urinating and Defecating ~ Hi readers! In this article, I will discuss an important ethical guideline in Islam that should be followed when urinating or defecating. While it may seem trivial, this topic holds significant importance in Islam, as specific guidelines exist regarding these actions.

Before delving into the details, let me begin by quoting two hadiths that are directly related to this topic. Please pay attention!

Hadith About Prohibition of Facing Qiblah When Someone Urinates and Defecates

The hadiths related to the prohibition of facing the Qiblah while urinating or defecating are as follows:

Hadith 1

عَنْ سَلْمَانَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ : لَقَدْ نَهَانَا رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَنْ نَسْتَقْبِلَ الْقِبْلَةَ بِغَائِطٍ أَوْ بَوْلٍ ، أَوْ نَسْتَنْجِيَ بِالْيَمِيْنِ ، أَوْ أَنْ نَسْتَنْجِيَ بِأَقَلٍّ مِنْ ثَلَاثَةِ أَحْجَارٍ ، أَوْ نَسْتَنْجِيَ بِرَجِيْعٍ أَوْ عَظْمٍ . رَوَاهُ مُسْلِمٌ

From Salman radliyallahu anhu, he said, "Indeed, Allah's Messenger sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam has forbidden us from facing the Qiblah while defecating or urinating, [he forbade us] from cleaning stool with the right hand, [he forbade us] using less than three stones, and [he forbade us] using bones or animal dung for cleaning." The hadith is narrated by Muslim.

Hadith 2

عَنْ أَبِيْ أَيُّوْبَ الْأَنْصَارِيِّ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ : وَلَا تَسْتَقْبِلُوْا الْقِبْلَةَ بِغَائِطٍ أَوْ بَوْلٍ وَلَكِنْ شَرِّقُوْا أَوْ غَرِّبُوْا . رَوَاهُ السَّبْعَةُ

From Abu Ayyub al-Ansari radliyallahu 'anhu, "You must not face the Qiblah when defecating or urinating. Instead, face east or west!" The hadith is narrated by seven scholars (Ahmad, al-Bukhari, Muslim, at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa'i, Abu Daud, Ibn Majah).

Key Points From the Hadiths

Prohibition of Facing or Backing the Qiblah

The hadiths above explain that it is prohibited to face or turn your back to the Qiblah when defecating or urinating, but this applies specifically when doing so outdoors. If this is done inside a building, such as a house, then there is no issue. This is the view of the Shafi'i and Malik schools of thought. However, Abu Hanifah and Ahmad maintain that this prohibition applies regardless of whether it's done indoors or outdoors.

How Often Should You Shower in Islam?

Facing East or West

The directive to face east or west applies to people in Medina. For those outside of Medina, the position can vary, but the key is to avoid facing or backing the Qiblah.

Cleaning with Stones

The hadith mentions the use of stones for cleaning. It is recommended to use at least three stones, as stated by the Shafi'i and Hanbali schools. However, Malik and Abu Hanifah schools allow the use of a single stone, provided it can effectively clean the feces. The use of an odd number of stones (e.g., 1, 3, 5) is recommended.

Prohibition of Using the Right Hand for Cleaning

The hadith also prohibits using the right hand for cleaning after relieving oneself. This guideline has been discussed in a previous article.

Prohibition of Using Bones or Animal Dung

It is prohibited to use bones or animal dung for cleaning, as mentioned in the hadith.

Understanding the Qiblah and Its Direction

It's important to note that there are differing opinions among Islamic scholars about the exact definition of "Qiblah." Some scholars consider the Qiblah to be the Ka'bah, while others believe it refers to the Masjid al-Haram, and still others consider it to mean the city of Mecca. For those living outside Saudi Arabia, it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact direction of the Qiblah, but it can be addressed by determining the direction toward Mecca.

Conclusion

The prohibition of facing the Qiblah while urinating or defecating is a significant aspect of Islamic etiquette. As we have seen in the hadiths, this prohibition ensures respect for the sacred direction of prayer. Always remember to follow these guidelines for maintaining proper Islamic hygiene and etiquette.

I hope this article has been informative! May it be useful! Ameen!

See you again in the next article!