Q: Our work has a makeshift prayer room with a toilet and hand basin in it – is this acceptable? The room is alongside the female toilets and a meeting room and noises carry through the wall into the prayer room – is this a problem? I use a disabled toilet close to the prayer room (10 metres) and have used a plastic bottle for cleansing. The company has taken the bottle away as they say it is a safety problem. I suggested they instal a hand held bidet (like a shower hose) to remove safety problem. But they want me to use another disabled toilet that is further away (more than 50 metres and through many doors) because they don’t want to upset disabled people. How far away should cleansing be from the prayer room?
A: If the Salaah room is away from the female toilets, it will be better since there will be less disturbance and more purdah. However, if this is not possible the Salaah performed in the Salaah room will be valid despite the noise filtering through.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & Approved:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)