Worship and the Pillars

Abu Musa said: One day when I was with the Prophet he wanted to pass water, so he went to some soft ground at the foot of a wall and did it, after which he said, "When any of you wishes to pass water, he should look for to do it in.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Anas said that when the Prophet wanted to relieve himself he did not raise his garment till he was near the ground. Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Darimi transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, "I am to you just like a father to his son, for I give you instruction. When you go to relieve yourselves do not face or turn your back to the qibla.” He commanded that three stones be used, he forbade the use of dung and decayed bones, and he forbade that a man should cleanse himself with his right hand. Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.

‘A'isha said, “God’s messenger used his right hand for his ablution water and his food, and his left hand for his evacuations and anything objectionable.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

She also reported God’s messenger as saying, “When one of you goes to relieve himself he should take with him three stones with which to cleanse himself, for they will be enough for him.” Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Nasa’i and Darimi transmitted it.

Ibn Mas'ud reported God’s messenger as saying, “Do not cleanse yourselves with excrement or bones, for that is the provision of your brethren among the jinn.” Tirmidhi transmitted it, as also Nasa'i, but he did not mention “the provision of your brethren among the jinn.”

Ruwaifi' b. Thabit told that God’s messenger said to him, “You may live for a long time after I am gone, Ruwaifi', so tell people that if anyone ties his beard, or wears round his neck a string to ward off the evil eye, or cleanses himself with animal dung or bone, Muhammad has nothing to do with him. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “If anyone applies collyrium he should do it an odd number of times. If one does so he has done well, but if not, there is no harm. If anyone cleanses himself with stones he should make use of an odd number. If one does so he has done well, but if not, there is no harm. If anyone eats he should throw away what he removes with a toothpick and swallow what he removes with his tongue. If one does so he has done well, but if not, there is no harm. If one goes to relieve himself he should conceal himself, and if all he can do is to collect a heap of sand he should sit with his back to it, for the devil makes sport with the posteriors of the children of Adam. If one does so he has done well, but if not, there is no harm.” Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.

'Abdullah b. Mughaffal reported God's messenger as saying, “No one must pass water where he bathes and then wash in it or perform ablution in it, for all evil promptings come from it.” Abu Dawud transmitted it, as did Tirmidhi and Nasa’i, but they did not mention “then wash in it or perform ablution in it”

'Abdullah b. Sarjis reported God’s messenger as saying, "None of you must pass water in a hole". Abu Dawud and Nasa'i transmitted it.

Mu'adh reported God's messenger as saying, "Guard against the three things which produce cursing: relieving oneself in watering-places, in the middle of the road, and in the shade.” Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Abu Sa'id reported God’s messenger as saying, "Two people should not go together to relieve themselves and uncover their private parts and talk, for God is angry with that.” Ahmad, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Zaid b. Arqam reported God's messenger as saying, "These privies are peopled by jinn and devils, so when one of you goes there he should say, ‘I seek refuge in God from male and female devils.” Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

‘Ali reported God’s messenger as saying, "The covering between the eyes of the jinn and the private parts of the children of Adam when one of them enters the privy is provided by his saying, ‘In the name of God.’” Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying that this is a gharib tradition and that its isnad is not strong.

‘A'isha told that when the Prophet came out from the privy he said, "Grant Thy forgiveness.” Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.

Abu Huraira said, "When the Prophet went to the privy I brought him water in a small vessel or a skin and he cleaned himself, after which he wiped his hand on the ground. I then brought him another vessel and he performed ablution.” Abu Dawud transmitted it, and Darimi and Nasa’i transmitted something similar.

Al-Hakam b. Sufyan said that when the Prophet passed water he performed ablution and sprinkled his penis. Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it.

Umaima daughter of Ruqaiqa said that the Prophet had a wooden vessel under his bed in which he passed water at night. Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it.

‘Umar said: The Prophet saw me standing and passing water and said, "‘Umar, do not pass water standing." So I never did it again. Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it. The shaikh and imam Muhyi as-Sunna has given a sound tradition from Hudhaifa who said that the Prophet came to a midden and passed water standing. (Bukhari and Muslim.) It is said that that had a valid reason.

‘A'isha said, “If anyone tells you that the Prophet used to pass water standing, do not believe him. He never passed water but when sitting.” Ahmad, Tirmidhi, and Nasa’i transmitted it.