Etiquettes of Istinja

Below are a list of etiquettes of doing instina, what is permissible and what is not. Revealing the Awrah When doing istinja it is important that we do not fully take off all our clothes. We should always attain modesty, for men and women we should be careful we do not reveal our body to others. In western countries this is not big problem, as the toilets and bathrooms are concealed, even though this does not allow us to fully strip. Keeping this in mind we should be mindful that we do not get any impurity onto our clothes. If we feel that we have a tendency of getting impurity onto our clothes, we should change our clothes, and not use clothes that we would not pray with before going to the toilet. What is Awrah? (Private Parts) Male: The part of the body from below the navel up to the knees (including the knees). Female: The whole body, except: Face, Hands, and Feet. What we should use It is Makruh (Disliked) to do istinjah with Bones Any food for human or animals Baked Bricks Pottery Glass Plaster Plaster Anything that is respected by others Paper with writing on it. In our current times it is best to use Tissue and Water. Tissue is easily accessible even in public toilets, so we would not need to resort to anything else. It is also Makruh (Disliked) to use our right hand to perform istinja, unless we have a valid reason, such as an injury. We should always use our left hand to do istinja. Entering the toilet When entering the toilet / bathroom, we should enter with our left foot first, and prior to entering seek refuge from Allah The all Mighty by reciting the following dua. اللُّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْخُبْثِ وَالْخَبَائِثِ “O Allah. I seek refuge in You from the male female evil and Jinns“ There are two shaytans Kubas and Khabis at the door of the toilets, and by reading this dua, and seeking refuge for Allah, one protects himself from the shayateens seeing his or hers private areas, and also injecting bad thoughts in to one’s mind. It only takes couple of seconds to read this dua, we should make this part of our routine. Sitting on the toilet When sitting, it’s best to sit leaning towards the left hand side, as this eases the urinating and excreting. Whilst on the toilet we should not speak to each other unless it is extremely important. At times individuals have full conversations while on the toilet, and at times people go on their phones. This is extremely disliked and forbidden. Narrated Abu Sa’id al-Khudri: I heard the Prophet of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him) say: “When two persons go together for relieving themselves uncovering their private parts and talking together, Allah, the Great and Majestic, becomes wrathful at this (action). “Abu Dawood” It is Makruh Tahrimi to face the Qibla and to have ones back against the Qibla whist on the toilet even if the construction of the toilet is of such. Similarly it is also disliked to face the sun and the moon, as these are great signs of Allah`s. It is also disliked to face a blowing wind, as the impurity can easily blow back onto the clothes and body. One should also not defecate and urinate in Water: Even if the water is flowing, Shade: a place where people generally rest. Under Fruitful Trees: Because it may damage the fruits and cause it to be impure when they fall. Pathway or streets: The Prophet (Peace & Blessings Be upon Him) said: “Fear the two that are cursed.” They inquired, “Who are those that are cursed O Messenger of Allah.” The Prophet (Peace & Blessings Be Upon Him) said: “The one that relieves himself in the road or walkway of people or in their shade.” – Muslim Hole in the ground: incase there is a rat, ants or anything that may harm you We should not When urinating or defecating we should NOT Urinate standing up, unless we have a valid reason Take items that have the name of Allah & His Messengers (Peace & Blessings Be Upon Him) such as rings, necklace …etc Do Zikar (mentioning the name of Allah) Say Alhamdulillah after sneezing or responding to a sneeze by saying Yarhamukallah. Return the greeting of Assalamu Alaikum Reply to the Azan Look at our gentiles Look at what comes out e.g. our urine Spit Fiddle with our body Stare at the sky Extend the sitting unnecessarily Exiting the toilet When leaving the toilet we should step out with our right foot first, and then recite the below dua. اَلْحَمْدُ لِللَّهِ الَّذِيْ أَذْهَبَ عَنِّيْ الأَذّىَ وَ عَافَانِيْ O Allah. I seek your forgiveness. All praises are due to Allah who has taken away from me the discomfort and granted me comfort Reference: نور الإيضاح ونجاة الأرواح – فصل فى الاستنجاء