The Prescribed Prayer: Chapter One (cont.)

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QADAAHUL HAAJAH (RELIEVING ONESELF)

It is recommended to keep the following in mind when relieving oneself:

1. Say before entering the toilet:

   Bismillaah, Allaahumma	In the name of Allah, O Allah! I seek
   inee a'uudhu bika minal	refuge with You from all offensive and
   khubthi wal khabaaith	wicked things (evil deeds and evil spirits.)
   	(Al-Bukhaaree)

2. It is not permissible to enter the toilet while carrying anything that bears the name of Allah, such as Al-Quran, or any book with the name of Allah in it, or jewelry such as bracelets and necklaces engraved with the name of Allah.

3. One should keep silent while in the toilet. Thus, talking, reading, answering the greetings, and greeting others are not to be done in the toilet, except in a life-threatening situation, such as guiding a blind person. Even if one sneezes, one should say in his mind Alhamdu Lillaah. In Hadeeth reported by Ibn 'Umar, the Prophet (s.a.s.) was urinating when a man passed by and greeted him, but the Prophet did not answer him.

4. If a person is driven by necessity to relieve himself in an open place, he or she should not face Al-Qiblah or turn his back to it. In Hadeeth reported by Abu Hurairah, the Prophet (s.a.s.) said:

   "Whenever anyone of you sits to relieve himself, he should not face Al-Qiblah or give it back." (Muslim)

5. One should be out of sight of people, thus the doors of the toilet should be securely closed. Jaabir (r.'a.) reported:

   "We traveled with the Prophet and whenever he relieves himself, he keeps out of sight so that he would not be seen." (Ibn Maajaa)

6. One should avoid urinating, or otherwise, in the holes under shade or fruit trees, on river banks or at the edge of water tanks, at places where people perform ablution, in the graveyard or the masjid. In short, one should avoid places where people take rest or gather for any purpose.

7. After using the toilet, one should make Istinjaa, cleaning oneself with water. This should be done before making Wuduu, otherwise the Wuduu is considered invalid. One may use water and paper for Istinjaa. After relieving oneself, one should say the following Du'aa:

   Alhammdu lillaahilla dhee	Praise be to Allah who relieved me of
   adhhaba 'annil adhaa wa	the filth and gave me relief.
   'aalaanee.	(Ibn Maajaa)

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