If the bathroom is constructed in such a way that they face the Qiblah, (i.e. Ka’aba), is it allowed to use such bathrooms?

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has given rules for all aspects of life. If we keep them in mind, then not only our needs will be met, but we will get reward (Thawab) also. Among those rules, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) also taught us how to relieve ourselves. He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has prohibited us to face the Ka’abah or turn our backs towards it while relieving ourselves. A Tradition in Jamee Tirmizi says, “ It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Ayyub Ansari, (May Allah SWT be well pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said, ‘When you go to relieve yourself, neither face the qiblah for urinating/excreting, nor turn your back towards it.’ ”

For this reason, the Fuqaha (Jurisprudents) have ruled facing the qiblah while relieving oneself as Undesirable to the extent of being forbidden (Makruh Tahrimi)

Bathrooms should never face the qiblah nor put it behind them. As given in Sharh Waqaya Vol I Pg no. 127, says If this kind of bathroom has to be used out of necessity, then care should be taken not to face the qiblah, as far as possible. Since it could not be done, as it ought to have been done, the person using such a bathroom should supplicate Allah SWT to forgive him/her, (i.e recite Astaghfar) as Hadhrat Abu Ayyub Ansari (May Allah SWT be well pleased with him) said, “We went to Syria and found that the bathrooms were facing the qiblah. So, we relieved ourselves by avoiding the qiblah as far as we could and supplicated Allah SWT to forgive us.” Jame Tirmizi. Note: This interpretation is based on one of the many interpretations of the mentioned Hadith. One interpretation is that the Sahabah avoided using such bathrooms.

And Allah knows best.

Mufti Syed Ziauddin Naqshbandi Qadri,
Naib Shaykh Ul Fiqh, Jamia Nizamia..