Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalam Alaikum, i pray you are well brother Burhan. I have been a bit confused over the issue of using a toilet. I work in a shop with kufaar and they really misuse the toilet, so it is quite dirty most of the time. Is it mandatory for me to sit and use the toilet (as i have to clean it which i find very disgusting)? Also, if i stand and use it, what about water, do i use water whilst standing? Is using toilet tissue acceptable? If not could you maybe recommend an alternative.

Jazakallah Khair

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Answer:

Using dirty toilets

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Under usual circumstances, it is the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws) that he would almost always urinate in a sitting position; but on some occasions, he (saws) also urinated in a standing position. Thus, it is desirable to always urinate in a sitting position; but if one fears impurity at a public toilet, etc. there is no harm if one urinates standing.

Hudhaifah relates that the Messenger of Allah (saws), went to a public garbage dump and urinated while standing. Hudhaifah went away, and the Prophet (saws) then called him over. The Prophet made ablution, and wiped over his shoes. This is related by Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawood, and Tirmidhi.

Your Question: Also, if i stand and use it, what about water, do i use water whilst standing? Is using toilet tissue acceptable?

If one has access to water, then it would be best to wash the private area with water. But if water is not available, one may use any porous cleansing object like a rock, stone, wet-tissue, etc.

Fiqh-us-Sunnah Fiqh 1.19b

To remove any impurities from his one clothes and/or body one can use a rock, stone or any other pure matter. One may use only water to clean the area, or any combinations of purifying agents. 'Aishah (r.a.) reported that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said, "When one of you goes to relieve himself, he should clean himself with three stones." (Related by Ahmad, anNasa'i, Abu Dawud and ad-Daraqutni).

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan