I am Shafai Muslim from Kerala, constructing a new house. Here the practice is to bring a Maulavi on the occasion of starting the construction, and we did it. My doubt is about the direction of different rooms and septic tank. None of the toilet is facing West or East. But the septic tank is on the South side of the house, 1 meter away. Also it is 1.5 meter away from the South West corner. The local Muslims in the locality say position of septic tank should not come there. Our architect is a Hindu and he and the Maulavi told, septic tank should preferably be in the West side of the house. Since we face West at the time of Namaz, I did not feel it good and decide to dig it in the South side. Is there any basis for finding a specific location for the septic tank? Is it OK, if the tank is in the south west corner? Especially the corner is considered sacred and no toilets or septic tank is allowed near the south-west corner. What I understood is the Maulavi and the architect both are following the guidelines as per the Vaasthu Saasthra. Do Muslims have to follow these directions for the room positions? Is there any Islamic Vaasthu Saasthra to be followed? Please answer. May Allah lead us in the right path.
Answer:
(Fatwa: 50/42/D=1434)
(1) According to the Shariah, there is no direction fixed for septic tank. There is no harm if it is in western corner as it carries no sacredness rather it is attached with western direction as we turn our faces towards it in salah, and it is forbidden to turn face or back in that direction while using toilet.
(2) According to Shariah, directions carry no importance in the position of rooms; we can build it as per our ease and availability. There is no harm if any direction is preferred owing to the sun and air. Keep the position of toilet in such a way that the face or back is not towards Qiblah while sitting in toilet.
Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) knows Best
Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband