Etiquettes of Relieving Oneself and Istinja
📜 Etiquettes of Relieving Oneself and Istinja
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ taught us everything, even how to relieve ourselves."
— Salman Al-Farisi, Sahih Muslim
📜 Foundational Texts
The Prophetic Tradition
Salman Al-Farisi (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ taught us everything, even how to relieve ourselves."
— Sahih Muslim
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
"When the Prophet ﷺ entered the restroom, he would say: 'O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the male and female devils.'"
— Agreed upon
🎓 Scholars' Statements
Ibn Qudamah (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
"From the completeness of Islam is that it clarified for the Muslim the etiquettes related to relieving oneself."
🔍 Linguistic Analysis
Vocabulary Table
| Term | Root | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Istinja | n-j-w | Cleaning private parts with water |
| Istijmar | j-m-r | Cleaning private parts with stones/tissues |
| Khubuth | kh-b-th | Male devils |
| Khaba'ith | kh-b-th | Female devils |
📚 Detailed Explanation
🔷 Etiquettes of Entering the Restroom
-
Supplication before entering:
"O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the male and female devils."
-
Enter with the left foot first — The left is for harmful things
-
Not carrying items with Allah's name — Unless necessary (like phones)
🔷 Prohibitions While Relieving Oneself
| Prohibition | Details |
|---|---|
| Facing/backing Qiblah | In open areas; permitted in buildings |
| Urinating in stagnant water | Contaminates the water |
| Urinating on pathways | People's paths and shaded areas |
| Urinating in holes | Animals may be inside |
| Speaking | Do not respond to greetings |
| Standing without need | Sitting is default |
🔷 Etiquettes of Exiting
-
Exit with right foot first
-
Say supplication:
"(I seek) Your forgiveness"
Or: "Praise be to Allah who has removed harm from me and granted me wellbeing."
🔷 Istinja and Istijmar
| Method | Definition |
|---|---|
| Istinja | Cleaning with water |
| Istijmar | Cleaning with stones/tissues |
Ruling: Obligatory after urination or defecation.
🔷 Conditions for Istijmar
- Using something pure
- Using something absorbent (not smooth like glass)
- At least three wipes until clean
- Impurity hasn't spread beyond its place
🔷 What Cannot Be Used for Istijmar
| Item | Reason |
|---|---|
| Bones | Food of the jinn |
| Dung | Fodder for jinn's animals |
| Food | Disrespecting the blessing |
| Items with Allah's name | Honoring Allah |
| The right hand | For dignity |
🔷 Best Method of Cleansing
| Method | Ruling |
|---|---|
| Water only | ✅ Sufficient |
| Stones only (with conditions) | ✅ Sufficient |
| Stones then water | ✅ Best |
⚖️ Schools' Perspectives
| Issue | 🟡 Maliki | 🟢 Hanafi | 🔵 Shafi'i | 🟣 Hanbali |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Facing Qiblah in buildings | Disliked | Permissible | Permissible | Permissible |
| Minimum wipes | 3 | Until clean | 3 | 3 |
| Water vs. stones | Both valid | Both valid | Both valid | Both valid |
🌍 Contemporary Applications
| Situation | Ruling |
|---|---|
| 🚿 Bidet | Valid for Istinja |
| 🧻 Toilet paper | Valid for Istijmar |
| 🧴 Wet wipes | Valid for cleansing |
| 📱 Phone with Quran | Prefer not to bring in |
| 🚻 Modern toilets facing Qiblah | Permissible in buildings |
⚠️ Common Mistakes
| ❌ Mistake | ✅ Correction |
|---|---|
| Using right hand for Istinja | Use left hand only |
| Not using at least 3 wipes | Minimum is 3 |
| Not saying du'a before entering | Seek refuge from devils |
| Responding to greetings inside | Remain silent |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I use only toilet paper?
✅ Yes, if conditions are met (3 wipes, pure, absorbent).
Q2: Is it haram to face Qiblah in modern bathrooms?
No, it's permissible in buildings according to the stronger opinion.
Q3: What if I forget the du'a?
Say it as soon as you remember, even inside.
Q4: Can I bring my phone (with Quran apps) into the bathroom?
Permissible if needed, but better to avoid.
🎯 Practical Action
This week, commit to:
- Memorize the du'a for entering and exiting
- Always use left hand for cleaning
- Ensure proper cleansing before Wudu
- Avoid excessive worry (waswasa)
📝 Important Note: Waswasa
Whoever is afflicted with obsessive doubts (waswasa) should:
- Seek refuge in Allah from Satan
- Not pay attention to doubts
- Build upon certainty
The Prophet ﷺ said: "If one of you feels something and is unsure whether something came out, he should not leave until he hears a sound or smells an odor."
Summary of Etiquettes
| ✅ Recommended | ❌ Disliked or Prohibited |
|---|---|
| Supplication before entering | Facing the Qiblah (in open areas) |
| Entering with left foot | Turning back to Qiblah (in open areas) |
| Supplication after exiting | Urinating in stagnant water |
| Exiting with right foot | Urinating on pathways or in shade |
| Cleansing with water | Speaking while relieving oneself |
| Wiping an odd number (3, 5, 7) | Using the right hand for Istinja |
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Be careful to avoid urine, for most of the punishment of the grave is because of it." (Narrated by Ad-Daraqutni, authenticated by Al-Albani).
And Allah knows best