Dr. Mufti Syed Ziauddin Naqshbandi Mujaddidi Qadri
Shaykh Ul Fiqh, Jamia Nizamia; Founder - Director
Abul Hasanaat Islamic Research Center
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f:9 - Bathroom facing the Qibla
Country : Hyderabad, India, Name : Waqar Khalid
Question: 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?
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Answer:
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 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’aba or turn our backs towards it while relieving ourselves. There is a Hadith in Jame’ Tirmidhi:
Translation: It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Ayyub Ansari, (May Allah be well pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: When you go to relieve yourself, neither face the Ka’aba for urinating/excreting, nor turn your back towards it. (Jame’ Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 8)
For this reason, the jurists have ruled facing the Ka’aba while relieving oneself is abhorrent (Makruh Tahrimi).
Bathrooms should never face the Qibla nor put it behind them. As given in Sharh Waqaya, Vol. 1, Pg no. 127.
If this kind of bathroom has to be used out of compulsion, then care should be taken not to face the Qibla as far as possible. Since the proper method is not being followed, the person using such a bathroom should supplicate Almighty Allah to forgive him/her as Hadhrat Abu Ayyub Ansari (May Allah be well pleased with him) said:
Translation: We went to Syria and found that the bathrooms were facing the Qibla. So, we relieved ourselves by avoiding the Qibla as far as we could and supplicated Almighty Allah to forgive us. (Jame’ Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 8)
Note: This interpretation is based on one of the many interpretations of the aforementioned Hadith. One interpretation is that the Companions avoided using such bathrooms.
And Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) knows best.
Mufti Syed Ziauddin Naqshbandi Qadri,
[Professor, Islamic Law, Jamia Nizamia,
Founder-Director, Abul Hasanaat Islamic Research Center]
