Rules concerning use of lavatory

- It is obligatory to conceal one's private parts in the toilet and at all times from adult persons even if they are one's near relatives (like mother, sister etc.) Similarly, it is obligatory to conceal one's private parts from insane persons, and from children who can discern between good and evil. However, husband and wife are exempted from this obligation. 

- It is not necessary for a person to conceal the private parts with any definite thing, it is sufficient, if, for example, he conceals them with his hand. 

- While using the toilet for relieving oneself, the front or the back part of one's body should not face the (Qiblah) holy Ka'bah. 

- If a person sits in the toilet with the front part of his body or the back facing the Qibla, but turns the private parts away from that direction, it will not be enough. Similarly, when the front part of the body or the back does not face Qibla, as a precaution, he should not allow the private parts to face that direction. 

- Recommended precaution is that one should not face the Qibla or have one's back towards it at the time of Istibra (to be explained later), nor at the time of washing oneself to become Pure after relief. 

- When one is forced to sit facing the Qibla, or with his back towards it, so as to avoid somebody looking at him, or if it is not possible to do so, or when there is an unavoidable excuse for sitting that way, it is permissible to do so. 

- It is a recommended precaution that even a child should not be made to sit in the toilet with its face or back facing Qibla. But if the child positions itself that way, it is not obligatory to divert it. 

- It is haraam to relieve oneself at the following four places: 

* In blind alleys, without the permission of the people who live there.

* On the property (land) of a person who has not granted permission for the purpose. 

* At a place which is waqf exclusively for its beneficiaries, like some Madrassahs. 

* On the graves of Momineen, and at the sacred places whose sanctity will thus be violated. 

- In the following three cases, anus can be made Pure with water alone: 

* If another najasat, like blood, appears along with the faeces. 

* If an external najasat reaches the anus. 

* If more than usual najasat spreads around the anus. 

In the cases other than those mentioned above, anus can be made Pure either by water or by using cloth, or stone etc., although it is always better to wash it with water.

- The urinary organ cannot be made Pure without water. If one uses kurr or running water, then washing the organ once will suffice, after removal of essential najasat. But, if one uses under-kurr water, then recommended precaution is to wash it twice, better still, three times. 

- If the anus is washed with water, one should ensure that no trace of faeces is left on it. However, there is no harm if colour and smell remain. And if it is washed thoroughly in the first instance, leaving no particle of stool, then it is not necessary to wash it again. 

- The anus can be made Pure with stone, clod or cloth provided they are dry and pure. If there is slight moisture on it, which does not reach the outlet, there is no objection. 

- If one makes oneself totally pure with stone, clod or cloth once, it will be enough, though it is better to do it three times. In fact, it is better to use three pieces. And if one does not get totally pure after three times, he may continue till he is Pure. However, there is no harm, if invisible, tiny particles are still there. 

- It is haraam to make the anus Pure with things which are sacred and revered, like, a paper on which the names of Allah and the Prophets are written. And using bones or dung for the purpose, may not make the place Pure. 

- If a person doubts whether he has made the outlet Pure, it is necessary that he should make it Pure even if he may have been doing it always as a matter of habit. 

- When a person doubts after Prayer, whether he made the outlet Pure before he started the prayers, the Prayer already prayed will be valid, but for the ensuing prayers, he will make himself Pure.