What are the toilet manners in Islam?

In Islam, maintaining cleanliness and observing proper hygiene are of utmost importance in daily life and during acts of worship. This includes the etiquette and manners associated with using the toilet, which are guided by religious teachings and traditions. In this article, we’ll explore toilet manners in Islam, including the importance of cleanliness, recommended practices, and etiquette to observe when using the restroom.

1. Importance of Cleanliness:

Cleanliness is significant in Islam, as it is fundamental to faith and spirituality. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of cleanliness in numerous hadiths (sayings and actions of the Prophet), highlighting its role in maintaining physical health, spiritual purity, and overall well-being. The Quran mentions cleanliness as a virtue and encourages believers to purify themselves outwardly and inwardly. In Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:6), Allah says, “O you who have believed, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles.”

2. Recommended Practices in the Toilet:

1. Entering the Toilet with the Right Foot: It is recommended to enter the toilet with the right foot while reciting the supplication: “Bismillah, Allahumma inni a’udhu bika min al-khubuthi wal-khaba’ith” (In the name of Allah, I seek refuge with Allah from the male and female devils).
2. Privacy and Modesty: While using the toilet, it is essential to maintain privacy and modesty by closing the door and avoiding exposing one’s private parts unnecessarily.
3. Facing Away from the Qiblah: It is preferred to position oneself facing away from the direction of the Qiblah (the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca) while relieving oneself out of respect for the sacredness of the Qiblah.
4. Using the Left Hand: Using the left hand for cleansing oneself after using the toilet is recommended, as the right hand is reserved for acts of worship and eating.
5. Cleaning with Water: Islam emphasizes using water to cleanse oneself after using the toilet, which is considered the most effective purification method. Using toilet paper or other dry materials is also permissible, but water is preferred for thorough cleansing.
6. Observing Proper Hygiene: After using the toilet, one must ensure that one’s private parts are clean and free from impurities. This may involve washing with water, using toilet paper, or both until one feels completely clean.

3. Prohibited Acts in the Toilet:

1. Speaking or Remembrance of Allah: It is discouraged to engage in idle talk, gossip, or remembrance of Allah (dhikr) while inside the toilet, as it is considered a place for relieving oneself and maintaining cleanliness.
2. Facing the Qiblah or Exposing One’s Backside: It is prohibited to face the Qiblah or expose one’s backside towards it while using the toilet out of respect for the sacred direction of prayer.
3. Using Filthy Language: Using foul language or engaging in inappropriate behavior inside the toilet is considered disrespectful and contrary to Islamic manners.
4. Wasting Water: Islam emphasizes the importance of conserving water and avoiding wastefulness, even when using it for purification. Therefore, using water sparingly while cleansing oneself after using the toilet is recommended.
5. Exiting the Toilet with the Left Foot: Similar to entering the toilet, it is recommended to exit with the left foot while reciting the supplication: “Ghufranak” (I seek Your forgiveness).
6. Final Supplication: After leaving the toilet, it is recommended to recite the following supplication: “Ghufranak al-hamdu lillahi al-ladhi adhhaba ‘anni al-adha wa ‘afani” (I seek Your forgiveness, all praise be to Allah who has relieved me of the discomfort and granted me relief).