Chapter: The Etiquette of Relieving Oneself

Know—may Allah guide me, you, and all Muslims—that our religion is perfect and complete. It has omitted nothing that people need for their religious or worldly lives without clarifying it, and among these matters are the manners of answering the call of nature. Through them, the human being, whom Allah has honored, distinguishes himself from animals by the very honor Allah bestowed upon him. Our religion is a religion of cleanliness and purity, and there are specific legal courtesies to observe both on entering the lavatory and while relieving oneself.

When a Muslim intends to enter the lavatory—the place set aside for relieving oneself—it is recommended that he say: Bismillāh, aʿūdhu billāh mina l-khubthi wa-l-khabāʾith (In the name of Allah; I seek refuge in Allah from male and female devils). He should step in with his left foot, and upon exiting step out with his right foot and say: Ghufrānak (I seek Your forgiveness), al-ḥamdu lillāh alladhī adh-haba ʿannī al-adhā wa ʿāfānī (Praise be to Allah who has removed harm from me and granted me well-being). The reason is that the right side is used for matters of honor and adornment, while the left side is used for removing filth and the like.

If he wishes to relieve himself in the open, that is, in a place not specifically prepared