Monday, February 25, 2013

SOME ISLAMIC DIRECTIVES



      MuhammadAli was very determined to make plans in defense of Islam.  He knew how ignorant his friends are about the religion.  "However," he thought, "I better learn more about Islam myself before I set people's minds right."  Once dinner was finished, MuhammadAli lost no time in asking his father about what Islam says about jealousy.
      His father sat comfortably in a chair and asked, "Have you heard people say 'Oh how much I envy you?'  It is better not to fall into the trap of envy and jealousy.  Jealousy can destroy and it can hurt.  It is better to wish others well than to be envious or envious of them.  To wish them well is constructive, it will make you feel good and make others feel good.  It will make them feel you are their friend, a man whose heart is not tarnished."
      MuhammadAli's father continued, "Islam discourages us from jealousy.  Allah Almighty says:

قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ    مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ    وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ
وَمِن شَرِّ النَّفَّاثَاتِ فِي الْعُقَدِ    وَمِن شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ
Say: I Take Refuge With The Lord Of The Dawn…...  And From The Evil Of The Jealous As He Envies.
(Surah  113:  Ayah  1-2...5)
Jealousy can lead to destruction or even breaking up relationships.  People with jealousy in their hearts may lead to destruction of others or lead to uncalled for trouble.
Allah's Messenger, Muhammad (pbuh) says:

إياكم والحسـد، فإنَّ الحَسَـدَ يَأكُل الحَسَنَات كَمَا تأكُل النَّارُ الحَطَب
Beware Of Jealousy; For It Eats Up Good Deeds As Fire Eats Up Wood. Abu Dawood

لاحَسَدَ إلا في إثْنَتـَين:   رجلٌ أتاهُ اللهُ مالاً فَسَلّطَهُ على هَلَكَتِهِ في الحَقِّ،  ورَجُلٌ آتاهُ اللهُ حِكمَةً فهو يَقْضِي بها ويُعلِّمُها
There Should Be No Envy Except In Two:
One—If A Man To Whom Allah Has Given Riches, And Commands Him To Bestow In Charity;
The Other—A Man To Whom Allah Has Granted Religious Knowledge And He Applies It, And Imparts Its Instructions To Others.
Muttafaq Alayh

لاتَباغَضُوا،  ولا تَحَاسَـدوا، ولاتَدابَرُوا،  ولاتَقاطَعُوا،
وكُونوا عِبادَ اللهِ إخواناً، ولا يحِلُّ لِمسلمٍ أن يَهْجُرَ أخاهُ فَوقَ ثَلاث
Hate Not Each Other, Nor Be Jealous Of Each Other, And Don't Stop Communicating With Each Other.  O Allah's Servants! Be Brothers To Each Other.  A Muslim Is Not To Leave His Brother More Than Three Days.
Muttafaq Alayh
Other Hadiths of the Prophet (pbuh) and/or sayings of the Imams are given here:
 Lo! Poverty Has Almost Reached The State Of Disbelief, And Jealousy Has Almost Superseded The Course Of Qadr.  (Imam Ja'far Al-Saadiq quoting the Prophet (pbuh), book of Al-Usool from Al-Kaafi, Vol. 2, Page 307.)
 The Biggest Mischief Defiling Religion Is Jealousy, Vanity, And Conceit.  (Imam Ja'far Al-Saadiq, book of Al-Usool from Al-Kaafi, Vol. 2, Page 307.) 
 The Worst Servant Of Allah Is The One Who Is Double Faced, Who Praises His Muslim Brother In His Presence And Speaks Ill Of Him In His Absence; And He Is Jealous Of Him When The Other Is Rich, But Forsakes Him When In Need.  (Imam Ja'far Al-Saadiq, book of Al-Usool from Al-Kaafi, Vol. 2, Page 343.) 
After giving sometime for MuhammadAli to think about the Hadiths, Abdul-Rahman resumed, "One may ask, 'Why being jealous is bad?'  The answer is that the jealous person can go too far and may say a hurtful thing or plan something destructive.  Some people go so far that they destroy their relationship with others, if not even destroy jobs or property.
      Besides, by jealousy a person often holds grudges and says harsh words behind someone's back, ruining reputation and spreading false rumors.  The result is suffering of an innocent person."  After a pause Abdul-Rahman suddenly said, "But there are exceptions."
      "What are they?" asked MuhammadAli.
      "One example is a well-off person who helps the poor and the needy by giving in charity.  Another example is a person who learned Islam well, and who not only applies the knowledge but also teaches it to others.  It is like what we are doing right now.  Besides, these are two examples which anyone can be envious of, they can be a source for imitation and emulation."
      "But why not be envious in words only?" MuhammadAli interrupted.
      "Well, if so, why feel inferior to a person who has achieved what you are envious of?  Why not be content and thankful for what you have?" answered his father and then continued, "And if content, you will not keep the troubling feelings inside."  After taking a sip of his tea, Abdul-Rahman asked, "Isn't it better to be grateful to Allah for what He has provided?  If yes, then be content and happy and have the good heart to wish others well and be friends."
   

      MuhammadAli had just come from school when he stopped to ask his father a question, "Dad!" he said, "I am having a lot of food for thought.  What about suspicion in Islam?"
      "I am delighted to see your intense interest in learning about Islamic Ethics.  I am very glad," Abdul-Rahman answered lovingly.  He then continued, "Have you ever been suspicious of a person?  And hasn't your imagination run wild about his intentions?  And more often than not the poor fellow was misjudged, if not accused by you because of your suspicions?"  He put the last dish in the dishwasher and then added, "Most of us have had such feelings, they are inherently bad and can be harmful.  If you don't give others a chance, your suspicions can often be distressing, leading to wrong conclusions.  This is why Islam urges us to play down on suspicion.
      Suspicion is as bad, if not worse, than jealousy.  Suspicion may lead to much destruction, distrust, and sometimes tragic consequences.  Let us see what Allah Almighty says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اجْتَنِبُوا كَثِيراً مِّنَ الظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعْضَ الظَّنِّ إِثْمٌ
 وَلا تَجَسَّسُوا وَلا يَغْتَب بَّعْضُكُم بَعْضًا أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَن يَأْكُلَ لَحْمَ أَخِيهِ مَيْتًا فَكَرِهْتُمُوهُ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَوَّابٌ رَّحِيمٌ
O You Who Believe!  Avoid Suspicion For Suspicion In Some Cases Is A Sin. And Spy Not On Each Other, Nor Speak Ill Behind Their Backs.
Would You Rather Eat The Flesh Of His Dead Brother?  Nay, You Would Abhor It, And Heed Allah, For Allah Is Ever-Forgiving, All-Merciful.
(Surah  49:  Ayah  12)
      "As you can see," Abdul-Rahman said after a short break, "We are commanded to avoid suspicion since it is bad and can lead to ill-feelings.  We are commanded, too, not to spy on each other, speak ill behind other people's backs, be it friend, relative, or even an enemy, because these are evil things too, a bad habit to say the least.  The Holy Quran even equates it to eating the flesh of a dead brother, of all things!"
      "Let me quote some Hadiths of Allah's Messenger, Muhammad (pbuh)," said Abdul-Rahman: 

لا تَحاسَدُوا  ولا تَناجَشـوا  ولا تَدابَروا  ولايـَبْغِ بعْضُكُم على بـَيْعِ بعْضٍ 
وكُونوا عِبـادَ اللهِ  إخْواناً
Don't Be Jealous Of One Another,  Don't Vie With One Another, 
Don't Despise One Another, Don't Be At Variance With One Another, And Don't Undercut One Another In Trading.
Instead, Be Brothers In The Service Of God...
Muslim

إيَّاكُم والضَّـن  فإنَّ الضَّـن أكْذبُ الحدِيث
ولاتجَسَّـُسوا ولاتحسَّـسوا
Beware Of Suspicion, For Suspicion May Be Based On The Untrue Information;
And Spy Not Upon One Another,
And Try Not To Expose Each Other's Hidden Failings.
Bukhari And Muslim
Other Hadiths of the Prophet (pbuh) and/or sayings of the Imams are given here:
Not Of A Muslim Ummah Is He Who Is The Conniving Person.  (Imam Ja'far Al-Saadiq quoting the Prophet (pbuh), book of Al-Usool from Al-Kaafi, Vol. 2, Page 337)

      "Wow!" MuhammadAli said with gusto.
      "Yes," answered his father, "It is better to think well of people and be trusting.  Once we are suspicious, our imagination can take us to extremes and often to wrong conclusions.
      It surely is better to be certain first before we reach any conclusions.  Remember, as the Holy Quran says suspicion in certain cases is a sin.  We better avoid it.  Besides," Abdul-Rahman added, "spying on each other is very bad too, and it is condemned in the Quran.  The same will apply about back-biting, gossiping, and spreading malice.  None of us likes others doing this to us, and no one wants us to do it to them.  Good faith in people is righteous, to think well of them rather than suspect, spy, or gossip about them," Abdul-Rahman concluded."

      "Dad, Islam teaches us a lot about suspicion, doesn't it?" MuhammadAli asked.
      Abdul-Rahman answered briefly:



  1. being suspicious of people is harmful
  2. avoiding the urge to spy or even gossip is best
  3. thinking well of people, having kind words will encourage others to do likewise
  4. gossiping about people often gives wrong impressions and conclusions.  It may hurt people's reputations or feelings.  More damage may be the result than ever intended
  5. the damage of gossip can become quite severe and lasting
  6. talking behind someone's back is bad no matter how tempting it is.  Though accusing or spying on someone is also tempting, it should be avoided since an innocent person may get hurt.
  7. We ought to fight the urge for suspicion, spying, and talking about others since such habits are offensive, if not sinful."

      After a few moments MuhammadAli's father said, "Let us remember that Almighty God is the Witness, He sees what we do, and knows what is in our hearts.  A pure-hearted person shuns malice and suspicion, will fight the urge to indulge in them.  By being so, he is the winner, since the Almighty will reward him handsomely."
  
    
      MuhammadAli was sad and upset because one of his friends made fun of another whose got feelings were hurt.  "How could they do that?" he thought.
      MuhammadAli could hardly wait until evening, waiting to see what his father says about mockery.  When asked, Abdul-Rahman answered, "Have you ever been or seen someone made fun of or ridiculed?"
      "Yes, my friend was hurt today," answered MuhammadAli.
      "Then," continued his father, "Hasn't that made you feel bad inside, feel kind of inferior?  In such a case, didn't you have a feeling of retaliating and hurting the one making fun of you?"  After putting the prayer rug away, Abdul-Rahman said, "Most of us had such experiences, and a hurt feeling as a result.  Being ridiculed, intentional­ly or not, is unfair and hurtful.  Islam wants our welfare and naturally it discourages Ridicule and Mockery in all their forms.
      With ridicule, someone's feelings inevitably get hurt and his relationship with others may suffer; Islam warns against mockery.
      The main reason a person ridicules others is to attract attention to himself, to show-off so to speak.  The Holy Quran teaches us as follows:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لا يَسْخَرْ قَومٌ مِّن قَوْمٍ عَسَى أَن يَكُونُوا
 خَيْرًا مِّنْهُمْ…
O Believers! Let No Man Mock Another Man, Who May Perhaps Be better Than He ...  (Surah  49:  Ayah  11)

وَمَثلُ كَلِمَةٍ خَبِيثَةٍ كَشَجَرَةٍ خَبِيثَةٍ اجْتُثَّتْ مِن فَوْقِ الأَرْضِ مَا لَهَا مِن قَرَارٍ
And The Parable Of An Evil Word Is Like An Evil Tree Torn Out Of The Earth And Has No Stability ...
(Surah  14:  Ayah  26)

قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ   الَّذِينَ هُمْ فِي صَلاتِهِمْ خَاشِعُونَ   وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنِ اللَّغْوِ مُعْرِضُون…َ
Blessed Are The Believers,  Who Are Humble In Their Prayers;  ...
Who Turn Away From Vain Talk ...
(Surah  23:  Ayah  1-3)
Other Hadiths of the Prophet (pbuh) and/or sayings of the Imams are given here:
 The Closest To Disbelief A Person Can Be Is When He Conceals The Error Of His Brother In Faith Intending To Dishonor Him And Use It Against Him.  (Imam Ja'far Al-Saadiq, book of Al-Usool from Al-Kaafi, Vol. 2, Page 355.) 
 The Worst Servant Of Allah Is The One Who Is Double Faced, Who Praises His Muslim Brother In His Presence And Speaks Ill Of Him In His Absence; And He Is Jealous Of Him When The Other Is Rich, But Forsakes Him When In Need.  (Imam Ja'far Al-Saadiq, book of Al-Usool from Al-Kaafi, Vol. 2, Page 343.)

      Therefore, we are enjoined to be delicate with other people, to avoid mockery and ridicule; thereby we avoid hurt feelings and potential trouble.  It is unfair to ridicule others, and a good Muslim has fairness and justice in his heart, doesn't he?  Mockery and ridicule can also make us look mean in other peoples' eyes, don't they?"
      "It sure does," answered MuhammadAli right away.
      "If we want people not to make fun of us," his father carried on, "it would be fair of us not to make fun of anyone."
      "So basically Islam recommends a number of points about ridicule and mockery," MuhammadAli asserted.
      Abdul-Rahman answered briefly:




  1. mockery or ridicule is distasteful and unwarranted
  2. mockery will hurt people's feelings and may injure their self-respect
  3. just as it hurts us when people make fun of us, so does mockery hurt other people if we make fun of them
  4. mockery is just as bad as suspicion, spying, or gossiping
  5. good friends understand each other, help and support each other.  By being friendly we will make others reciprocate this.  It is good to be considerate of people's feelings than to be immature and ridicule them just for the fun of it.

"I feel good," MuhammadAli said, "and thank you for being my Dad."

    
      "If ridicule is bad in the sight of Allah our Creator, spreading scandal must be too?" asked MuhammadAli, having rested after dinner.
      Abdul-Rahman answered, "It is bad to spread rumors about innocent people.  People's reputations are very important, just as yours is to you.  Each person has built a certain image in the hearts of his friends or relatives.  To speak ill of a person is unfair and naturally Islam is specific about that.  Islam prohibits us from spreading scandal.
      Bad publicity and spreading scandal damages others in many ways, it also damages people who are innocent.  See what Allah's Holy Book says:

لاَّ يُحِبُّ اللّهُ الْجَهْرَ بِالسُّوَءِ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ إِلاَّ مَن ظُلِمَ وَكَانَ اللّهُ سَمِيعًا عَلِيمًا
Allah Does Not Like Speaking Of Evil Publicly (From Anyone)
Except About One Who Has Been Treating Others unjustly.  (Surah   4:  Ayah  148)

…وَلا تَلْمِزُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ وَلا تَنَابَزُوا بِالألْقَابِ بِئْسَ الاِسْمُ الْفُسُوقُ بَعْدَ الإيْمَانِ…
...Do Not Defame One Another, Nor Call One Another Names.  It Is An Evil Thing To Be Called By A Bad Name After Embracing The True Faith.
(Surah  49:  Ayah  11)

وَيْلٌ لِّكُلِّ هُمَزَةٍ لُّمَزَةٍ
Woe To Every Kind Of Scandal‑Monger And Back-Biter...
(Surah  104:  Ayah  1)

الَّذِينَ يَلْمِزُونَ الْمُطَّوِّعِينَ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فِي الصَّدَقَاتِ وَالَّذِينَ لاَ يَجِدُونَ إِلاَّ جُهْدَهُمْ فَيَسْخَرُونَ مِنْهُمْ
 سَخِرَ اللّهُ مِنْهُمْ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
Those Who Slander Such Of The Believers As Give Themselves Freely
To Deeds Of Charity, 
.....Allah Will Throw Back Their Ridicule On Them; And They Shall Have A Grievous Penalty. 
(Surah  9:  Ayah  79)

"It is clear, MuhammadAli," continued Abdul-Rahman, "that the Almighty orders us to watch our tongue and fight the urge to talk about others in a bad manner.  Let me quote Allah's Messenger, Muhammad (pbuh) who emphasizes:

المسلم مَن سَلِمَ المسلمون مِنْ لسانِهِ ويَدِه
والمهاجِرُ مَن هَجَرَ مانَهَى اللهُ عنهُ
The Quality Muslim Is The One From Whom What He Says And Acts Other Muslims Are Safe.
Bukhari

سِبابُ المسلمِ فُسُوقٌ وقِتالُهُ كُفْرٌ
To Abuse A Muslim Is Evil And Transgression; And To Fight Him Is Unbelief.
Bukhari
Other Hadiths of the Prophet (pbuh) and/or sayings of the Imams are given here:
► The Most Detested Of Allah's Servants Is A Person Who Is Avoided Because Of The Evil Things He Says.  (Imam Ja'far Al-Saadiq, book of Al-Usool from Al-Kaafi, Vol. 2, Page 323.) 
► Vicious People Take Delight In Publishing The Vices Of Others, So That, They Might Thereby Extend The Ground Of Excuses For Their Own Vices.  (Imam Ali.) 
Also, if a friend does something embarrassing you don't broadcast it to others.  This is just as bad as gossiping and is in bad taste.
      However, you can complain to your heart's content about the person who does an injustice to you.  This is acceptable and you are encouraged to do so, since Islam is for justice and against any unfairness or injustice."
      "How about those who like to talk about scandals and who are backbiters?" wondered MuhammadAli.
      "Well," answered his father earnestly, "then woe to them!!  What they do is something grave and serious.  The Holy Quran is specific about that, isn't it?"

      "Islam warns us strongly to avoid spreading scandal," MuhammadAli commented.
      Abdul-Rahman answered briefly:




  1. to talk about injustice as much as we want.  Actually, it is a duty to do so
  2. it is not right to talk about people's faults or troubles, since this will harm their reputation and is unfair
  3. it is offensive to scandalize people, we are ordered to avoid that
  4. just as bad is back‑biting, since saying bad things about other people is sinful
  5. a Muslim should be polished and of such character that he keeps his words positive, and is careful about what he says
  6. to speak well of others, in front of or behind them.  We should find admirable qualities and keep mentioning them.  Better still, to mind our business, and shun talking about others as much as possible."


Friday, February 1, 2013

Muslim Bathroom Etiquette



Among the signs of the greatness of the blessed Islamic shareeah is the fact that there is no good thing, major or minor, that it has not commanded us to do or pointed the way to it,

And there is no bad thing, major or minor, that it has not warned us against or forbidden.

It is perfect and complete in all aspects, a fact which has often greatly astonished non-Muslims and earned their admiration.

(At the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)), one of the mushrikeen (polytheists) said to (the Prophet’s Companion) Salmaan al-Farsi (may Allaah be pleased with him): “Your Prophet has taught you everything, even how to defecate!”
Salmaan said: “Yes, he forbade us to face the qiblah when urinating or defecating…”
(Reported by al-Tirmidhi, no. 16; he said it is a saheeh hasan hadeeth; also reported in Saheeh Muslim and elsewhere). Islamic sharee’ah includes a number of rules and manners to be followed when answering the call of nature, including the following:
 


Not to face the qiblah (direction of prayer, i.e. the Kaabah which was built in Makkah by Ibrahim, upon whom be peace, as commanded by Allaah) when urinating or defecating. This is out of respect for the Qiblah and for the symbols and rituals of Allaah. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “When any one of you sits down to answer the call of nature, he should not face the qiblah or turn his back towards it.
(Reported by Muslim, 389).


He should not touch his private part with his right hand when urinating, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: When any one of you urinates, he should not hold his private part in his right hand or clean it with his right hand; and (when drinking), he should not breathe into the vessel. (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 150).


He should not remove najaasah (impurity) with his right hand; the left hand should be used for this purpose, because of the hadeeth quoted above, and because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “When any one of you wipes himself, he should not use his right hand.
(Reported by al-Bukhaari, 5199).

The Prophets wife Hafsah (may Allaah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to use his right hand for eating, drinking, making wudoo, getting dressed, and giving and taking things, and he used to use his left hand for other things.
(Reported by Imaam Ahmad; see also Saheeh al-Jaami, 4912).

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “When any one of you cleans himself, he should not use his right hand, he should use his left hand.” (Reported by Ibn Maajah, 308; see also Saheeh al-Jaami, 322).



The Sunnah is to answer the call of nature sitting, making oneself close to the ground, because this is more concealing, and makes it less likely that spray from ones urine will come back on ones body or clothes, making them dirty.


A person should be concealed from the sight of others when answering the call of nature.

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to prefer to go behind a rise in the ground or a garden of date palms.
(Reported by Muslim, 517).


If a person is out in an open space and cannot find anything to conceal him when he needs to answer the call of nature, he should move far away from the other people around him, because al-Mugheerah ibn Shu’bah said: “I was with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) on a journey, when he felt the need to answer the call of nature, so he went far away.
(Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 20; he said it is a saheeh hasan hadeeth).

Abd-Allaah ibn Abi Quraad said: “I went out with the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to an open space, and when he needed to answer the call of nature, he moved away.
(Reported by al-Nisaai, 16; see also Saheeh al-Jaami’, 4651)



A person should not uncover his awrah (private parts) until after he has squatted close to the ground, because this is more concealing, as Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported: “When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) wanted to answer the call of nature, he would not lift his garment until he had squatted close to the ground.” (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 14; see also Saheeh al-Jaami’, 4652).


If a person is in a (modern) toilet, he should not lift his garment until he has closed the door and is out of sight of other people.


With regard to this point and the one before, it is worth noting that the habit of many people in the West and elsewhere, of urinating in a standing position in front of other people in public toilets (using urinals) is something which goes against good manners, modesty and decency, and is repulsive to anyone who possesses sound common sense and wisdom.

How can anybody uncover in front of other people the awrah (private parts) which Allaah has placed between his legs to conceal it and commanded him to cover it? The idea that it should be covered is well established among all wise and decent people of all races. It is wrong in principle to build restrooms of this shameful type, where the users can see one another, thus making them worse than some kinds of animals whose habit is to conceal themselves from one another when urinating or defecating.




It is also good manners according to Shareeah to recite certain adhkaar (supplications) when entering or leaving the toilet, which are quite appropriate to the situation and place.

Our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) taught us that when entering the toilet, we should say:
Allaahumma innee aoodhi bika min al-khubthi wal-khabaaith
(O Allah, I seek refuge with You from male and female devils).”

When leaving the toilet, he should say:
Ghufraanak
(I seek Your forgiveness).”




He should be careful to remove all impurity after answering the call of nature, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) warned against being careless in cleaning oneself after urinating: “Most of the punishment of the grave will be because of urine.”
(Reported by Ibn Maajah, 342; see also Saheeh al-Jaami, 1202).


Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with them both) reported that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) passed by two graves, and said: “They are being punished, but they are not being punished for any major sin. One of them used not to protect himself (i.e. keep himself clean from) his urine, and the other used to walk about spreading malicious gossip.
(Reported by al-Bukhaari, 5592).



Any impurity should be washed or wiped three times or an odd number of times greater than three, according to whatever is needed to cleanse it, because Aaishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to wash his posterior three times.
Ibn ‘Umar said: “We did this too and found it to be healing and cleansing.”
(Reported by Ibn Maajah, 350; see also Saheeh al-Jaami’, 4993).


Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “When anyone of you cleans himself (with stones or similar material) let him use an odd number.”
(Reported by Imaam Ahmad; classed as hasan in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 375).



He should not use bones or dung to clean himself or wipe away the impurity, rather, he should use tissue, stones or water and the like.

Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that he used to carry a vessel for the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to do wudoo and clean himself after answering the call of nature. Whilst he was following him, he (the Prophet) asked, “Who is that?”
He said: “I am Abu Hurayrah.”
He said: “Get me some stones I can use to clean myself, but do not bring me any bones or dung.”

So I brought him some stones, carrying them in the hem of my garment, and placed them by his side, then I went away. When he had finished, I came back and asked him, “What is wrong with bones and dung?”
He said: “They are the food of the jinn.”
(Reported by al-Bukhaari, 3571).



A person should not urinate into stagnant water, because Jaabir (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade anyone to urinate into stagnant water (reported by Muslim, 423), and because this makes the water impure and harms those who use it.



A person should not urinate by the roadside or in places where people seek shade, because this is offensive to them.

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Fear the two things that bring curses.”
They asked, “What are the two things that bring curses, O Messenger of Allaah?”
He said: “When a person relieves himself in the road where people walk or in the place where they seek shade.”
(Reported by Abu Dawud, 23; see also Saheeh al-Jaami, 110).



One should not greet a person who is answering the call of nature, or return a greeting whilst one is answering the call of nature, out of respect to Allaah by not mentioning His name in a dirty place. [Translator’s note: the Islamic greeting is “al-salaam alaykum (peace be upon you)”; one of the names of Allaah is al-Salaam (the Peace)].

Jaabir ibn Abd-Allaah reported that a man passed by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) whilst he was urinating, and greeted him.
The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to him: “If you see me in this state, do not greet me, because if you do, I will not respond.”
(Reported by Ibn Maajah, 346; see also Saheeh al-Jaami, 575).

The majority of scholars say that it is makrooh (disliked) to speak in the restroom unnecessarily.