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:

As per bohra belief there are 12 steps to follow when one goes to relieve oneself of bowel movement and there`s a dua to recite whilewashing the private parts always.Is this right or Bidaa`? 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Etiquettes of going to the toilet

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.

The Messenger of Allah (saws) did not list the 12 steps to follow when one goes to relieve oneself, but in various traditions gave advice on the etiquettes that one should not face the direction of the Qibla while relieving oneself, nor have one’s back towards it, nor speak when in the toilet, wash the private parts with the left hand, etc.

Fiqh-us-Sunnah Fiqh 1.17a

Anas reported that when the Messenger of Allah (saws) entered the privy to relieve himself, he (saws) would say, "In the name of Allah. O Allah! I seek refuge in you from male and female noxious beings (the Shayateen)."

This is related by Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi.

Other than the above supplication, there is no other dua or supplication in the authentic traditions which the Messenger of Allah (saws) made during his visit to relieve himself.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 33 Surah Ahzab verse 21: There is indeed the best example for you to follow, in the Messenger of Allah, for every such person looks forward to Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah much.

Allah Subhanah has Himself declared that the Messenger of Allah (saws) is the absolute BEST example for the believers to follow. Unless someone (Allah forbid) believes that he is more pious or knows more than the Messenger of Allah (saws) in the deen, in all matters of guidance, he should follow the example of the Messenger of Allah (saws), and not try to invent or add anything to the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws)! The one who does that would be guilty of the evil of innovation in the deen, and every innovation or addition to the Sunnah would be an error.

Sahih Muslim Hadith 1885 Narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah

That the Prophet of Allah (saws) said in a sermon: “The best speech is that which is embodied in the Book of Allah, the Al Quran; and the best guidance is the guidance given by me, Mohamed (saws). The most evil affairs are the innovations, and every innovation is an error.”

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 4515 Narrated by Ali ibn AbuTalib

That the Prophet of Allah (saws) said: “If anyone introduces an innovation (in religion), he will be responsible for it. If anyone introduces an innovation or gives shelter to a man who introduces an innovation (in religion), he is cursed by Allah, by His Angels, and by all the people.”

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