Toilet etiquettes refer to a series of hygienic rules and standards established for the purpose of going to the toilet. Since, in Islam, there is a special emphasis on purity and cleanliness, toilet etiquettes hold special significance.

In fact, cleanliness is equated to completing half of an individual’s faith.

What are the Toilet Manners for Muslims?

With respect to Quranic verses, little information is present on the topic at hand. As, Muslims are simply guided to wash before they pray, visit the toilet or come in contact with the opposite gender. Hence, most information on Islamic toilet etiquettes is directly obtained from the hadith and Sunnah’s of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

عَن سلمَان قَالَ قَالَ لَهُ بعض الْمُشْركين وَهُوَ يستهزئ بِهِ إِنِّي لأرى صَاحبكُم يعلمكم كل شَيْء حَتَّى الخراءة قَالَ أَجَلْ أَمَرَنَا أَنْ لَا نَسْتَقْبِلَ الْقِبْلَةَ وَلَا نَسْتَنْجِيَ بِأَيْمَانِنَا وَلَا نَكْتَفِيَ بِدُونِ ثَلَاثَةِ أَحْجَارٍ لَيْسَ فِيهَا رَجِيعٌ وَلَا عَظْمٌ.

Salman RA said that a polytheist jestingly remarked, “I see that your Prophet teaches you even about your excrement,” to which he replied, “Yes, he has commanded us not to face the Qibla, or cleanse ourselves with our right hands, or be satisfied with less than three stones among which there is no dung or bone.” [Muslim and Ahmad transmitted it, the wording being Ahmad’s.]

1 – Visit the Toilet Only When Necessary

Muslims are guided to access the toilet area when it is biologically necessary. Meaning, unnecessary trips to the toilet should be avoided since the area is generally unhygienic and sinful due to the presence of Shaytaan.

2 – Do Not Carry Anything with the Name of Allah or Nabi ﷺ

Before visiting the toilet, it is critical to not be carrying anything with the name of Allah. Which includes, the Quran, books on its interpretations, and jewellery with Allah’s name.

3 – Make sure you are Properly Covered

It is necessary to wear shoes and to cover the hair when visiting the toilet. Sometimes we intend taking a bath, but before that we first visit the toilet. We should only remove our clothing before bathing and not before going to the toilet.

4 – Enter the Toilet with the Left Foot First

Moving forward, Muslims are asked to enter the toilet area with their left foot first. Before entering, you must read the dua that is for entering the toilet too.

عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ إِذَا دَخَلَ الْخَلاَءَ قَالَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْخُبْثِ وَالْخَبَائِثِ ‏

Anas bin Malik RA said: “When the Prophet ﷺ would enter the toilet ‘He said: “O Allah! Indeed, I seek refuge in You from Al-Khubith and Al- Khaba’ith.” (I seek refuge with Allah from male and female devils) [Jami` at-Tirmidhi]

5 – Exit the Toilet with the Right Foot

The Muslims are guided to leave the toilet with their right foot since they are leaving a dirty place, and with that – the Muslims are also advised to read the dua for exiting the toilet.

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، رضى الله عنها قَالَتْ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا خَرَجَ مِنَ الْخَلاَءِ قَالَ ‏ غُفْرَانَكَ

‘Aishah RA said: “When the Prophet would exit the toilet he would say: ‘Ghufranak.'”

Tomorrow in sha Allah we will continue with more etiquettes.