Originally posted 2020-01-19 11:45:56.

Answering the Call of Nature while Facing the Qiblah

Question: 

The questioner asked that he has moved to a new house, but he found that bathroom is facing the direction of prayer (Qiblah)? So, what is the ruling of answering the call of nature in such case? 

Answer:

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.

Abu Aiyub Al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “While defecating, neither face nor turn your back to the qiblah but face either east or west.” Abu Aiyub added. “When we arrived in Sham we came across some lavatories facing the Qiblah; therefore we turned ourselves while using them and asked for Allah’s forgiveness.” (Muslim) 

Defecating or urinating is out of respect for the qiblah and the symbols of Islam. There is a consensus among the jurists that the prohibition of facing the qiblah or putting behind one’s back while answering the call of nature, as well as its being considered a detested act, applies only to open areas or in the desert where there are no walls or fixed partitions. But if there are walls, then there is neither prohibition nor detestation.

For more information about the ruling of answering the call of nature in the direction of prayer, watch this interesting talk with Dr. Muhammad salah.

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Source: Huda Youtube Channel.