thereby refuting their criticism and demolishing their mockery. With the utmost pride and dignity, he replied, “Indeed!”—meaning: Yes, he taught us this matter, and we take pride in it. Salmān—may Allah be pleased with him—then proudly began recounting to them some of the noble etiquette and blessed teachings brought by the Sunnah concerning this matter. These are truly blessed teachings, unknown to those people and their ilk, who resemble cattle. They are known only to those whom Allah grants success and guides to this upright religion. All praise is due to Allah for guiding us, and all thanks are due to Him for what He has bestowed upon us.

The following is a brief discussion of some of this etiquette.

First, when entering the lavatory, it is recommended that a Muslim say: “In the name of Allah. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from male and female devils.” This is based on the report established in the two Sahih collections from Anas ibn Mālik—may Allah be pleased with him—who said: “When the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—entered the lavatory, he would say, ‘O Allah, I seek refuge in You from male and female devils.’”1

“Male devils” is the plural of “male devil,” while “female devils” is the plural of “female devil.” Some versions of the hadith mention saying “In the name of Allah” at its beginning. Ibn Hajar—may Allah have mercy on him—said: “Al-Umarī also narrated this hadith through Abd al-Azīz ibn al-Mukhtār, from Abd al-Azīz ibn Suhayb, phrased as a command: ‘When you enter the lavatory, say: In the name of Allah. I seek refuge in Allah from male and female devils.’ Its chain meets Muslim’s criteria.”2

This is further supported by the report narrated by Ibn Mājah and others from Alī—may Allah be pleased with him—traced back to the Prophet: “The screen between the jinn and the private parts of the children of Adam, when one enters the lavatory, is to say, ‘In the name of Allah.’” Taken together, its various chains establish it as an authentic hadith.3