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To face Qibla whilst doing Istinjah

Answered as per Hanafi Fiqh by DarulIftaBirmingham

I do not understand when you mentioned that we should not have our face or back towards the qibla, but what if the toilet is made that way where you have to put your back towards the qibla. then what?

Q) is it a sin to urinte towards the sun or moon and you mention that it is makruh to sit and urinate in the direction of the wind?

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.

Answer

According to the Hanafi Fiqh it is impermissible to face the Qiblah or to have your back facing the Qiblah whilst making istinjah. This impermissibility applies whether you’re in a building like a toilet or outside.

(Darse Tirmizi P.185 V.1)

It is Makruh Tanzihi to face (and not the back) towards the Sun and Moon if the person is outside. If he is in a building then it is not Makruh. If a person does a Makruh Tanzihi act it is not a sin. One who abstains from it will be rewarded and one who commits it will not be punished, however to make it a habit is bad and offensive.

(Nuural Idhaa P.30)

If the toilet happens to be facing towards the Qiblah then one should sit in a position where he would not be facing the Qiblah.

Saaiduna Abu Ayub Ansaari Radiallahu Anhu narrates that The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam said; “ When you come to relieve yourself; do not face towards the Qiblah for excretion or urination, but face towards the East and West.

When we (companions) came to Shaam (Syria), we found the toilets made facing towards the Qiblah. Thus we turned away (from the direction of the Qiblah whilst using the toilet) and asked forgiveness from Allah (SWA).

(Sunan Abi Dawud P.3 V.1)

Whilst doing istinjah using water, first use the middle finger to wipe, then the ring finger, then if required the index finger.

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

This answer was collected from DarulIftaBirmingham.co.uk, which is run under the supervision of Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah from the United Kingdom.