Etiquette of the Lavatory: Its Remembrances
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135 / Etiquette and Remembrances of the Lavatory

The illustrious Sunnah sets forth the etiquette that a Muslim should observe when entering the lavatory, while relieving himself, and upon leaving. These many points of etiquette demonstrate the perfection and completeness of this blessed Shariah. There can be no doubt that the Muslim takes the utmost delight in them because of the consummate excellence they embody in purification, cleanliness, cleansing, and spiritual refinement. Indeed, they are a source of pride for the Muslim—and what a noble source of pride they are!

Imam Muslim narrated in his Sahīh from Salmān al-Fārisī—may Allah be pleased with him—who said: “He was told, ‘Your Prophet has taught you everything, even how to defecate [that is, even how to relieve oneself].’ He replied, ‘Indeed. He forbade us to face the qiblah while defecating or urinating, to cleanse ourselves with the right hand, to cleanse ourselves with fewer than three stones, or to cleanse ourselves with dung or bone.’”1

In another version of the hadith narrated by Muslim, Salmān—may Allah be pleased with him—said: “The polytheists said to us, ‘I see that your companion teaches you everything—even how to defecate.’ He replied, ‘Indeed. He forbade any of us to cleanse himself with his right hand or to face the qiblah. He also forbade the use of dung and bones, and said, “None of you should cleanse himself with fewer than three stones.”’”2

These polytheists sought to disparage the Companions—may Allah be pleased with them—because their religion included teachings concerning how to relieve oneself. They said mockingly, “Your Prophet has taught you everything, even how to defecate.” Thereupon, Salmān al-Fārisī—may Allah be pleased with him—stepped forward to answer them,