so closely together that each bunch shields the next (al-Nihāyah). Reported by Muslim, Aḥmad, and Ibn Mājah.

He ﷺ normally urinated while sitting, though on occasion he did so standing; this is established by all the major compilers. The aim in either posture is to avoid splashing, so whichever of the two secures that aim is what one should adopt.

If someone greeted him while he was relieving himself, he would not return the greeting until he had finished. Al-Muhājir ibn Qunfudh said that he came to the Prophet ﷺ while the latter was urinating and offered him the salām; the Prophet did not reply until he had performed wuḍūʾ, after which he apologised, saying, “I disliked mentioning Allah, the Exalted, except in a state of purity.” (Reported by Abū Dāwūd, al-Nasāʾī, Ibn Mājah, and Ibn Ḥibbān, and authenticated by Muslim.) Evidence that dhikr is in principle permissible at all times is found in the report: “He used to remember Allah in every circumstance.” (Abū Dāwūd, al-Tirmidhī, Ibn Mājah, Aḥmad.)

6 – Prohibitions

• He forbade facing or turning one’s back to the qiblah while answering the call of nature (Muslim, Aḥmad), without differentiating between open country and built-up areas; this is the view preferred by Ibn Taymiyyah.
• He prohibited cleaning oneself with the right hand, or with dung or dry bones (the five compilers other than al-Tirmidhī).
• He forbade relieving oneself on public pathways, in people’s shade (Muslim, Abū Dāwūd, Aḥmad), or at watering places (Abū Dāwūd, Ibn Mājah, al-Mundhirī, al-Bayhaqī from Muʿādh; Aḥmad from Ibn ʿAbbās).
• He forbade urinating in burrows (Abū Dāwūd, al-Nasāʾī, others), into stagnant water—as mentioned earlier—or expressly into running water (al-Ṭabarānī).
• He forbade urinating in one’s bathing spot (al-Nasāʾī, Ibn Mājah, al-Tirmidhī, Aḥmad, others) or in the place set aside for washing (Abū Dāwūd, al-Nasāʾī, others).
• He prohibited making istinjāʾ with fewer than three stones, and using a bone for that purpose (Muslim, Abū Dāwūd, al-Tirmidhī), saying, “It is food for the jinn”—he said the same about dried dung (Muslim, Aḥmad, al-Bukhārī).
• He warned against urine soiling one’s clothes or other belongings, saying, “Most of the punishment of the grave is because of it.”

Sometimes he cleansed himself with water (agreed upon), and at other times with stones (al-Bukhārī). In connection with this practice the verse was revealed: “Within it are men who love to purify themselves…” (Q 9:108).