spit to his right when he was not in prayer. Muʿādh ibn Jabal said, “Since the day I embraced Islam I have never spat to my right.” It is also reported that ʿUmar ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz absolutely forbade his son to do so.

I say: The report from Ibn Masʿūd was likewise recorded by al-Ṭabarānī in al-Kabīr, and its transmitters are reliable, as al-Majmaʿ affirms. As for the ḥadith of ʿAmr ibn Ḥazm: “I saw the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, spit to his right, to his left, and in front of him,” it is not authentic; rather, it is very weak because it contains al-Wāqidī. Al-Ṭabarānī also included it in al-Kabīr.

If one must spit, then let him spit to his left, provided that side is free of worshippers; otherwise, beneath his left foot, on condition that the ground is of sand or gravel so the spittle can be buried, and not of tile or carpet. If even that is impossible, he should spit into his garment or into his sandal. This is because the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“What is the matter with one of you standing before his Lord and hawking up phlegm in front of Him? Would any of you like someone to face him and hawk up phlegm in his face? When one of you stands for prayer, let him not spit in front of him, for he is communing with Allah as long as he remains in his place of prayer; nor to his right, for on his right is an angel. Let him spit to his left”—another narration adds, “if that side is free”—“or beneath his left foot, then let him bury it.” A third narration adds: “If he cannot find a place to spit, then let him spit into his garment or his sandal.”

This ḥadith has been transmitted through several Companions, may Allah be pleased with them all.