79 – Al-Mughīrah ibn Shuʿbah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ told me, ‘Bring the water-skin,’ then walked on until he was out of my sight and relieved himself.” Agreed upon (1).

Vocabulary of the ḥadith
• al-idāwah: a small leather water-skin; its explanation appeared in the previous ḥadith.
• “he was hidden from me (tawārā ʿannī)”: he concealed himself from my view.
• “his need (ḥājatuh)”: literally whatever a person needs. The plural is ḥāj (with the hāʾ omitted) or ḥājāt. Here it is a polite reference to urination or defecation.

Benefits derived from the ḥadith

1. It is recommended to withdraw and hide oneself from people when intending to relieve oneself.
2. Concealing the private parts from others is obligatory, for exposing them is forbidden except in situations specifically exempted.
3. It is commendable to prepare a water-skin for purification before entering the place of relief, so that cleansing can be done immediately without having to request it afterwards.
4. It is permissible to confine oneself to water for istinjāʾ, dispensing with stones, for only the water-skin is mentioned; had stones been used they would have been cited.
5. One may seek another person’s help in bringing the implements of purification and placing them nearby.
6. It is permissible to employ a servant, even if the servant is a free person.
7. The ḥadith showcases the Prophet’s ﷺ modesty, perfect character, and avoidance of anything that evokes shame; he is the exemplar for every Muslim.