Man Lā Yaḥḍuruh al-Faqīh

قَالَ اَلصَّادِقُ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: «كَانَ رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ أَشَدَّ اَلنَّاسِ تَوَقِّياً لِلْبَوْلِ حَتَّى أَنَّهُ كَانَ إِذَا أَرَادَ اَلْبَوْلَ عَمَدَ إِلَى مَكَانٍ مُرْتَفِعٍ مِنَ اَلْأَرْضِ أَوْ مَكَانٍ يَكُونُ فِيهِ اَلتُّرَابُ اَلْكَثِيرُ كَرَاهِيَةَ أَنْ يُنْضَحَ عَلَيْهِ اَلْبَوْلُ.

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (a.s) said: "The Messenger of Allah (saws) was the most cautious of people regarding urine, to the extent that when he intended to relieve himself, he would go to an elevated spot of land or a place with abundant soil to avoid any splashing of urine onto himself."

وَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ إِذَا أَرَادَ دُخُولَ اَلْمُتَوَضَّإِ قَالَ « اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ اَلرِّجْسِ اَلنِّجْسِ اَلْخَبِيثِ اَلْمُخْبِثِ اَلشَّيْطَانِ اَلرَّجِيمِ اَللَّهُمَّ أَمِتْ عَنِّي اَلْأَذَى وَ أَعِذْنِي مِنَ اَلشَّيْطَانِ اَلرَّجِيمِ » وَ إِذَا اِسْتَوَى جَالِساً لِلْوُضُوءِ قَالَ « اَللَّهُمَّ أَذْهِبْ عَنِّي اَلْقَذَى وَ اَلْأَذَى وَ اِجْعَلْنِي مِنَ اَلْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ » وَ إِذَا تَزَحَّرَ قَالَ - « اَللَّهُمَّ كَمَا أَطْعَمْتَنِيهِ طَيِّباً فِي عَافِيَةٍ فَأَخْرِجْهُ مِنِّي خَبِيثاً فِي عَافِيَةٍ.

When the Messenger of Allah (saws) intended to enter the place of ablution (lavatory), He would say: Allahumma inni a‘oodhu bika minal-rijsi an-najsi al-khabeethi al-mukhbithi ash-shaytaani ar-rajeem. Allahumma amit ‘anni al-adha wa a‘idhni min ash-shaytaani ar-rajeem "O’ Allah (swt), I seek refuge in You from the unclean, impure, evil, defiling devil, the accursed. O’ Allah (swt), remove harm from me and protect me from the accursed devil." When he would sit down to perform ablution, He would say: Allahumma adhhib ‘anni al-qadha wa al-adha wa aj‘alni mina al-mutatahhireen "O’ Allah (swt), remove from me impurities and harm, and make me among those who are purified" And when he strained to relieve himself, He would say: Allahumma kama at‘amtanihi tayyiban fi ‘afiyah fa akhrijhu minni khabeethan fi ‘afiyah "O’ Allah (swt), as You provided this to me as pure sustenance and in good health, so allow it to leave me as impurity in good health."

وَ كَانَ عَلِيٌّ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ يَقُولُ: «مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ إِلاَّ وَ بِهِ مَلَكٌ مُوَكَّلٌ يُلَوِّي عُنُقَهُ حَتَّى يَنْظُرَ إِلَى حَدَثِهِ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ لَهُ اَلْمَلَكُ يَا اِبْنَ آدَمَ هَذَا رِزْقُكَ فَانْظُرْ مِنْ أَيْنَ أَخَذْتَهُ وَ إِلَى مَا صَارَ فَيَنْبَغِي لِلْعَبْدِ عِنْدَ ذَلِكَ أَنْ يَقُولَ: اَللَّهُمَّ اُرْزُقْنِي اَلْحَلاَلَ وَ جَنِّبْنِي اَلْحَرَامَ.

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s) used to say: "There is no servant (of Allah (swt)) except that there is an angel appointed to turn his head to look at his excrement, and then the angel says to him: 'O’ child of Adam, this is your provision, so consider from where you took it and to what it has turned.' It is appropriate for the servant at that moment to say: Allāhumma urzuqnī al-ḥalāla wa jannibnī al-ḥarāma ‘O’ Allah (swt), grant me lawful provision and keep me away from the unlawful.'"

ولم ير للنبي صلى الله عليه وآله قط نجو لان الله تبارك وتعالى وكل الأرض بابتلاع ما يخرج منه.

It is also narrated that The Prophet (saws) never left excrement, as Allah (swt), the Blessed and Exalted, commanded the earth to absorb whatever left his body.

وَ كَانَ أَمِيرُ اَلْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ إِذَا أَرَادَ اَلْحَاجَةَ وَقَفَ عَلَى بَابِ اَلْمَذْهَبِ ثُمَّ اِلْتَفَتَ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَ عَنْ يَسَارِهِ إِلَى مَلَكَيْهِ فَيَقُولُ «أَمِيطَا عَنِّي فَلَكُمَا اَللَّهُ عَلَيَّ أَنْ لاَ أُحَدِّثَ بِلِسَانِي شَيْئاً حَتَّى أَخْرُجَ إِلَيْكُمَا.

And when The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s) intended to relieve himself, He would stand at the entrance to the restroom, then turn to his right and left toward his two angels, saying: "Step aside from me, and I vow before Allah (swt) that I will not speak with my tongue until I return to you."

وَ كَانَ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ إِذَا دَخَلَ اَلْخَلاَءَ يَقُولُ: « اَلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ اَلْحَافِظِ اَلْمُؤَدِّي » فَإِذَا خَرَجَ مَسَحَ بَطْنَهُ وَقَالَ - « اَلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ اَلَّذِي أَخْرَجَ عَنِّي أَذَاهُ وَ أَبْقَى فِيَّ قُوَّتَهُ فَيَا لَهَا مِنْ نِعْمَةٍ لاَ يَقْدِرُ اَلْقَادِرُونَ قَدْرَهَا.

When Imam Ali (a.s) would enter the restroom, he would say: Alhamdulillah al-Hafiz al-Mu’addi "Praise be to Allah (swt), the Preserver and the One who brings all matters to their fulfilment." Upon exiting, he would wipe his abdomen and say: Alhamdulillahi alladhi akhraja ‘anni adhaahu wa abqa fiyya quwwatahu, fa ya laha min ni‘matin la yaqdiru al-qadiroona qadraha "Praise be to Allah (swt), who has removed harm from me and left within me strength. What a blessing it is, one whose value cannot be fully appreciated by any capable of appreciation.'"

وَ كَانَ اَلصَّادِقُ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ إِذَا دَخَلَ اَلْخَلاَءَ يُقَنِّعُ رَأْسَهُ وَ يَقُولُ فِي نَفْسِهِ: « بِسْمِ اَللَّهِ وَ بِاللَّهِ وَ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اَللَّهُ رَبِّ أَخْرِجْ عَنِّي اَلْأَذَى سَرْحاً بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ وَ اِجْعَلْنِي لَكَ مِنَ اَلشَّاكِرِينَ فِيمَا تَصْرِفُهُ عَنِّي مِنَ اَلْأَذَى وَ اَلْغَمِّ اَلَّذِي لَوْ حَبَسْتَهُ عَنِّي هَلَكْتُ لَكَ اَلْحَمْدُ اِعْصِمْنِي مِنْ شَرِّ مَا فِي هَذِهِ اَلْبُقْعَةِ وَ أَخْرِجْنِي مِنْهَا سَالِماً وَ حُلْ بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَ طَاعَةِ اَلشَّيْطَانِ اَلرَّجِيمِ.

When Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (a.s) would enter the restroom, he would cover his head and say privately: Bismillahi wa billahi wa la ilaha illa Allah, Rabb akhrij ‘anni al-adha sarhan bighayri hisabin, wa aj‘alni laka mina ash-shakireena fima tAsrifuhu ‘anni minal-adha wa al-ghammi alladhi law habastahu ‘anni halaktu. Laka al-hamdu, i‘simni min sharri ma fi hadhihi al-buq‘ah, wa akhrijni minha saliman, wa hul bayni wa bayna ta‘ati ash-shaytan ar-rajeem "In the name of Allah (swt) and by Allah (swt). There is no god but Allah (swt). O’ Lord (azj), remove harm from me completely without difficulty, and make me among those who are grateful for the relief You grant me from harm and distress, which, if You withheld, would cause my destruction. Praise be to You. Protect me from the evil of what may be in this place, and let me leave safely. Place a barrier between me and obedience to the accursed devil."

وينبغي للرجل إذا دخل الخلاء أن يغطي رأسه إقرارا بأنه غير مبرء نفسه من العيوب، ويدخل رجله اليسرى قبل اليمنى فرقا بين دخول الخلاء ودخول المسجد، ويتعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم، لان الشيطان أكثر ما يهم بالانسان إذا كان وحده، وإذا خرج من الخلاء أخرج رجله اليمنى قبل اليسرى.

It is recommended that a person cover his head when entering the restroom as an acknowledgment of his own imperfections, and enter with the left foot before the right to distinguish between entering the restroom and entering the mosque. He should seek refuge in Allah (swt) from the accursed devil, as the devil is most likely to trouble a person when they are alone. Upon leaving the restroom, he should step out with his right foot before his left.

وَ وَجَدْتُ بِخَطِّ سَعْدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ حَدِيثاً أَسْنَدَهُ إِلَى اَلصَّادِقِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ أَنَّهُ قَالَ: «مَنْ كَثُرَ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّهْوُ فِي اَلصَّلاَةِ فَلْيَقُلْ إِذَا دَخَلَ اَلْخَلاَءَ: بِسْمِ اَللَّهِ وَ بِاللَّهِ أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ اَلرِّجْسِ اَلنِّجْسِ اَلْخَبِيثِ اَلْمُخْبِثِ اَلشَّيْطَانِ اَلرَّجِيمِ.

I found in the handwriting of Sa’d ibn Abdullah a narration attributed to Imam Al-Sadiq (a.s), in which He said: "Whoever experiences frequent forgetfulness in prayer should say, upon entering the restroom: Bismillāhi wa billāhi a‘ūdhu billāhi mina al-rijsi al-najsi al-khabīthi al-mukhbithi al-shayṭāni al-rajīm 'In the name of Allah (swt) and by Allah (swt). I seek refuge in Allah (swt) from the unclean, impure, evil, defiling devil, the accursed.'"

وَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ اَلْبَاقِرُ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: «إِذَا اِنْكَشَفَ أَحَدُكُمْ لِبَوْلٍ أَوْ لِغَيْرِ ذَلِكَ فَلْيَقُلْ: بِسْمِ اَللَّهِ فَإِنَّ اَلشَّيْطَانَ يَغُضُّ بَصَرَهُ عَنْهُ حَتَّى يَفْرُغَ.

Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (a.s) said: "When one of you uncovers himself to urinate or for any other reason, let him say, 'In the name of Allah (swt),' for then the devil will lower his gaze from him until he is finished."

وَقَالَ رَجُلٌ لِعَلِيِّ بْنِ اَلْحُسَيْنِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ أَيْنَ يَتَوَضَّأُ اَلْغُرَبَاءُ فَقَالَ «يَتَّقُونَ شُطُوطَ اَلْأَنْهَارِ وَ اَلطُّرُقَ اَلنَّافِذَةَ وَ تَحْتَ اَلْأَشْجَارِ اَلْمُثْمِرَةِ وَ مَوَاضِعَ اَللَّعْنِ» فَقِيلَ لَهُ وَ أَيْنَ مَوَاضِعُ اَللَّعْنِ قَالَ « أَبْوَابُ اَلدُّورِ.

A man asked Imam Ali ibn Al-Hussain (a.s): "Where should strangers relieve themself?" Imam (a.s) said: "They should avoid the banks of rivers, public pathways, under fruit-bearing trees, and places of cursing (where excreta will cause agitation to people)’. He was then asked: "What are places of cursing? (that cause agitation)” Imam (a.s) said: ‘The entrances of houses’.

وَ فِي خَبَرٍ آخَرَ: «لَعَنَ اَللَّهُ اَلْمُتَغَوِّطَ فِي ظِلِّ اَلنُّزَّلِ وَ اَلْمَانِعَ اَلْمَاءَ اَلْمُنْتَابَ وَ اَلسَّادَّ اَلطَّرِيقَ اَلْمَسْلُوكَ.

In another report, it states that "May Allah (swt) curse the one who defecates in the shade of a resting place, the one who prevents access to flowing water, and the one who obstructs a frequently used pathway”.

وَ فِي خَبَرٍ آخَرَ: «مَنْ سَدَّ طَرِيقاً بَتَرَ اَللَّهُ عُمُرَهُ.

In another narration, it is stated: "Whoever blocks a pathway, Allah (swt) will cut short his life."

وَ سُئِلَ اَلْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ مَا حَدُّ اَلْغَائِطِ قَالَ «لاَ تَسْتَقْبِلِ اَلْقِبْلَةَ وَ لاَ تَسْتَدْبِرْهَا وَ لاَ تَسْتَقْبِلِ اَلرِّيحَ وَ لاَ تَسْتَدْبِرْهَا.

Imam Hasan ibn Ali (a.s) was asked about the proper etiquette for relieving oneself. Imam (a.s) said: "Do not face the Qibla (direction of prayer) or turn your back to it, and do not face the wind or turn your back to it”.

وَ فِي خَبَرٍ آخَرَ: «لاَ تَسْتَقْبِلِ اَلْهِلاَلَ وَ لاَ تَسْتَدْبِرْهُ.

In another narration, it is stated: "Do not face the crescent moon, nor turn your back to it (whilst relieving oneself)."

ومن استقبل القبلة في بول أو غائط ثم ذكر فتحرف عنها إجلالا للقبلة لم يقم من موضعه حتى يغفر الله له.

Furthermore, if someone does face the Qibla while urinating or relieving themselves and then remembers, they should shift away from it out of respect for the Qibla. They will not rise from that position until Allah (swt) forgives them.

وَ دَخَلَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ اَلْبَاقِرُ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ اَلْخَلاَءَ فَوَجَدَ لُقْمَةَ خُبْزٍ فِي اَلْقَذَرِ فَأَخَذَهَا وَ غَسَلَهَا وَ دَفَعَهَا إِلَى مَمْلُوكٍ كَانَ مَعَهُ فَقَالَ «تَكُونُ مَعَكَ لآِكُلَهَا إِذَا خَرَجْتُ» فَلَمَّا خَرَجَ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ قَالَ لِلْمَمْلُوكِ «أَيْنَ اَللُّقْمَةُ» قَالَ أَكَلْتُهَا يَا اِبْنَ رَسُولِ اَللَّهِ ' فَقَالَ «إِنَّهَا مَا اِسْتَقَرَّتْ فِي جَوْفِ أَحَدٍ إِلاَّ وَجَبَتْ لَهُ اَلْجَنَّةُ ' فَاذْهَبْ فَأَنْتَ حُرٌّ فَإِنِّي أَكْرَهُ أَنْ أَسْتَخْدِمَ رَجُلاً مِنْ أَهْلِ اَلْجَنَّةِ.

Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (a.s) entered the restroom and found a piece of bread in the filth. He took it, washed (purified) it, and handed it to a servant who was with Him, saying: 'Keep it with you for me, to eat when I come out.' When he emerged, he asked the servant: 'Where is the piece of bread?' (The Servant) replied: "I have eaten it, O’ son of the Messenger of Allah (saws)." Imam (a.s) said: "It has not settled in the stomach of anyone except that Paradise is obligatory for him. Go, for you are free, as I dislike to employ a man from the people of Paradise”.

وَ نَهَى رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ أَنْ يُطَمِّحَ اَلرَّجُلُ بِبَوْلِهِ فِي اَلْهَوَاءِ مِنَ اَلسَّطْحِ أَوْ مِنَ اَلشَّيْءِ اَلْمُرْتَفِعِ.

The Messenger of Allah (saws) prohibited a man from directing his urine into the air from a rooftop or any elevated place.

وَقَالَ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: «اَلْبَوْلُ قَائِماً مِنْ غَيْرِ عِلَّةٍ مِنَ اَلْجَفَاءِ وَ اَلاِسْتِنْجَاءُ بِالْيَمِينِ مِنَ اَلْجَفَاءِ.

Imam (a.s) said: "Urinating while standing without a reason is from rudeness, and using the right hand for cleansing is also from rudeness."

وَ قَدْ رُوِيَ: «أَنَّهُ لاَ بَأْسَ إِذَا كَانَ اَلْيَسَارُ مُعْتَلَّةً.

It has been narrated: "There is no harm if the left hand is incapacitated (or missing)."

وَ سَأَلَ هِشَامُ بْنُ سَالِمٍ أَبَا عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ فَقَالَ لَهُ: أَغْتَسِلُ مِنَ اَلْجَنَابَةِ وَ غَيْرِ ذَلِكَ فِي اَلْكَنِيفِ اَلَّذِي يُبَالُ فِيهِ وَ عَلَيَّ نَعْلٌ سِنْدِيَّةٌ فَأَغْتَسِلُ وَ عَلَيَّ اَلنَّعْلُ كَمَا هِيَ فَقَالَ «إِنْ كَانَ اَلْمَاءُ اَلَّذِي يَسِيلُ مِنْ جَسَدِكَ يُصِيبُ أَسْفَلَ قَدَمَيْكَ فَلاَ تَغْسِلْ أَسْفَلَ قَدَمَيْكَ.

Hisham ibn Salim asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (a.s) saying: "Is it permissible for me to perform ghusl (ritual washing) from major impurity (junub) and other reasons in a restroom where people urinate, while wearing Sindhi sandals?" Imam (a.s) said: "If the water flowing from your body reaches the soles of your feet, then do not wash the soles of your feet”.

وكذلك إذا اغتسل الرجل في حفرة وجرى الماء تحت رجليه لم يغسلهما، وإن كانت رجلاه مستنقعتين في الماء غسلهما.

Similarly, if a man performs ghusl in a pit and the water flows beneath his feet, he should not wash his feet. However, if his feet are submerged in the water, he should wash them.

وَ سُئِلَ اَلصَّادِقُ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَنِ اَلرَّجُلِ إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَسْتَنْجِيَ كَيْفَ يَقْعُدُ قَالَ «كَمَا يَقْعُدُ لِلْغَائِطِ.

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (a.s) was asked about how a man should sit when he wants to perform istinja (cleaning oneself after using the toilet). Imam (a.s) said: "As he would sit for relieving himself."

وَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: «إِذَا بَالَ اَلرَّجُلُ فَلاَ يَمَسَّ ذَكَرَهُ بِيَمِينِهِ.

Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (a.s) said: "When a man urinates, he should not touch his private parts with his right hand."

وَقَالَ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: «طُولُ اَلْجُلُوسِ عَلَى اَلْخَلاَءِ يُورِثُ اَلْبَاسُورَ.

Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (a.s) said: "Prolonged sitting in the restroom causes hemorrhoids”.

وَ سَأَلَ عُمَرُ بْنُ يَزِيدَ أَبَا عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَنِ اَلتَّسْبِيحِ فِي اَلْمَخْرَجِ وَ قِرَاءَةِ اَلْقُرْآنِ فَقَالَ «لَمْ يُرَخَّصْ فِي اَلْكَنِيفِ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ آيَةِ اَلْكُرْسِيِّ وَ يَحْمَدَ اَللَّهَ أَوْ آيَةِ «اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ اَلْعٰالَمِينَ.

Omar ibn Yazid asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (a.s) about the recitation of supplications in the restroom and reading the Qur'an. Imam (a.s) said: "It is not permitted to recite more than the Ayat al-Kursi or to praise Allah (swt) (by saying) 'All praise is due to Allah (swt), the Lord (azj) of the worlds' while in the restroom."

ومن سمع الاذان فليقل كما يقول المؤذن ولا يمتنع من الدعاء والتحميد من أجل أنه على الخلاء فإن ذكر الله تعالى حسن على كل حال.

And whoever hears the call to prayer (adhan) should respond as the caller does and should not refrain from making supplications and praising Allah (swt) just because he is in the restroom, for remembering Allah (swt) is commendable in every situation.

وَ لَمَّا نَاجَى اَللَّهُ مُوسَى بْنَ عِمْرَانَ [عَلَى نَبِيِّنَا وَ] عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ قَالَ مُوسَى: يَا رَبِّ أَ بَعِيدٌ أَنْتَ مِنِّي فَأُنَادِيَكَ أَمْ قَرِيبٌ فَأُنَاجِيَكَ فَأَوْحَى اَللَّهُ جَلَّ جَلاَلُهُ إِلَيْهِ «أَنَا جَلِيسُ مَنْ ذَكَرَنِي » فَقَالَ مُوسَى عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ يَا رَبِّ إِنِّي أَكُونُ فِي أَحْوَالٍ أُجِلُّكَ أَنْ أَذْكُرَكَ فِيهَا فَقَالَ «يَا مُوسَى اُذْكُرْنِي عَلَى كُلِّ حَالٍ».

When Allah (swt) spoke to Musa ibn Imran (a.s), Musa (a.s) asked: "O’ Lord (azj), are You far from me that I should call to You, or are You near that I may converse with You?" Allah (swt), Glorious and Exalted, revealed to him: "I am with the one who remembers Me. " Musa (a.s) then said: "O’ Lord (azj), there are circumstances in which I hold You in such reverence that I would not mention You." Allah (swt) said: "O’ Musa, remember Me in all circumstances."

ولا يجوز للرجل أن يدخل إلى الخلاء ومعه خاتم عليه اسم الله أو مصحف فيه القرآن، فإن دخل وعليه خاتم عليه اسم الله فليحوله عن يده اليسرى إذا أراد الاستنجاء وكذلك إن كان عليه خاتم فصه من حجارة زمزم نزعه عند الاستنجاء فإذا فرغ الرجل من حاجته فليقل: " الحمد لله الذي أماط عني الأذى وهنأني طعامي [وشرابي] وعافاني من البلوى. والاستنجاء بثلاثة أحجار، ثم بالماء فإن اقتصر على الماء أجزأه. ولا يجوز الاستنجاء بالروث والعظم، لِأَنَّ وَفْدَ اَلْجَانِّ جَاءُوا إِلَى رَسُولِ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ فَقَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اَللَّهِ مَتِّعْنَا فَأَعْطَاهُمُ اَلرَّوْثَ وَ اَلْعَظْمَ.

And it is not permissible for a man to enter the restroom with a ring bearing the name of Allah (swt) or with a Qur'an. If he enters while wearing a ring with Allah’s (swt) name, he should switch it to his left hand when he wants to perform istinja (cleaning oneself). Similarly, if the ring is made of Zamzam stone, he should remove it while performing istinja. Once a man has finished relieving himself, he should say, "Praise be to Allah (swt), who has removed harm from me and provided me with sustenance and granted me relief from affliction." Istinja should be done with three stones and then with water ; if one uses only water, that suffices. It is not permissible to use dung or bones for istinja, as the delegation of jinn came to the Messenger of Allah (saws) and requested sustenance, and he gave them dung and bones.

فلذلك لا ينبغي أن يستنجي بهما.

Therefore, it is inappropriate to use these for istinja.

وَ كَانَ اَلنَّاسُ يَسْتَنْجُونَ بِالْأَحْجَارِ فَأَكَلَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ اَلْأَنْصَارِ طَعَاماً فَلاَنَ بَطْنُهُ فَاسْتَنْجَى بِالْمَاءِ فَأَنْزَلَ اَللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وتَعَالَى فِيهِ: « إِنَّ اَللّٰهَ يُحِبُّ اَلتَّوّٰابِينَ وَ يُحِبُّ اَلْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ » فَدَعَاهُ رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ فَخَشِيَ اَلرَّجُلُ أَنْ يَكُونَ قَدْ نَزَلَ فِيهِ أَمْرٌ يَسُوؤُهُ فَلَمَّا دَخَلَ قَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ «هَلْ عَمِلْتَ فِي يَوْمِكَ هَذَا شَيْئاً» قَالَ نَعَمْ يَا رَسُولَ اَللَّهِ أَكَلْتُ طَعَاماً فَلاَنَ بَطْنِي فَاسْتَنْجَيْتُ بِالْمَاءِ فَقَالَ لَهُ «أَبْشِرْ فَإِنَّ اَللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وتَعَالَى قَدْ أَنْزَلَ فِيكَ: «إِنَّ اَللّٰهَ يُحِبُّ اَلتَّوّٰابِينَ وَ يُحِبُّ اَلْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ» فَكُنْتَ أَنْتَ أَوَّلَ اَلتَّوَّابِينَ وَ أَوَّلَ اَلْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ.

People used to perform istinja (cleaning after relieving oneself) with stones, and a man from the Ansar ate some food, which upset his stomach. He then performed istinja with water. Allah (swt), Blessed and Exalted, revealed: "Indeed, Allah (swt) loves those who repent and loves those who purify themselves." (Surah Al Baqarah 2:222). The Messenger of Allah (saws) called him, and the man feared that something negative had been revealed about him. When he entered, the Prophet asked him, "Have you done anything today?" He replied: "Yes, O’ Messenger of Allah (saws), I ate some food, which upset my stomach, so I performed istinja with water." The Prophet then said: "Rejoice! For Allah (swt), Blessed and Exalted, has revealed concerning you: 'Indeed, Allah (swt) loves those who repent and loves those who purify themselves.' You are among the first to repent and among the first to purify themselves."

ويقال: إن هذا الرجل كان البراء بن معرور الأنصاري. ومن أراد الاستنجاء فليمسح بإصبعه من عند المقعدة إلى الأنثيين ثلاث مرات ثم ينتر ذكره ثلاث مرات، فإذا صب الماء على يده للاستنجاء فليقل: " الحمد لله الذي جعل الماء طهورا ولم يجعله نجسا " ويصب على إحليله من الماء مثلي ما عليه من البول، يصبه مرتين هذا أدنى ما يجزي، ثم يستنجي من الغائط ويغسل حتى ينقي ماثمة، والمستنجي يصب الماء إذا انقطعت درة البول. ومن صلى فذكر بعد ما صلى أنه لم يغسل ذكره فعليه أن يغسل ذكره ويعيد الوضوء والصلاة، ومن نسي أن يستنجي من الغائط حتى صلى لم يعد الصلاة، و يجزي في الغائط الاستنجاء بالحجارة والخزف والمدر.

It is said that this man was Al-Bara' ibn Ma'rur al-Ansari. Furthermore, when one wishes to perform istinja, he should wipe from the area of the anus to the testicles three times, then shake the private part three times. When pouring water over his hand for istinja, he should say, "Praise be to Allah (swt), who made water purifying and did not make it impure." He should pour on his private part twice the amount of water that was on it from urine; this is the minimum required. Then he should perform istinja for feces and wash until clean. The person performing istinja should pour water when the flow of urine has stopped. If someone prays and remembers afterward that he did not wash his private part, he must wash it and repeat his ablution and prayer. However, if he forgets to perform istinja after relieving himself and prays, he does not need to repeat the prayer. For feces, it is sufficient to perform istinja with stones, pottery, or soil (apart from water).

وَقَالَ اَلرِّضَا عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: «فِي اَلاِسْتِنْجَاءِ يُغْسَلُ مَا ظَهَرَ عَلَى اَلشَّرْجِ وَ لاَ يُدْخَلُ فِيهِ اَلْأَنْمُلَةُ.

Imam Ali ibn Musa Ar-Ridha (a.s) said: "In istinja, what appears on the anal area should be washed, but the fingers should not be inserted into it."

ولا يجوز الكلام على الخلاء لنهي النبي صلى الله عليه وآله عن ذلك.

It is not permissible to speak while in the restroom, as the Prophet (saws) prohibited that.

وَ رُوِيَ: «أَنَّ مَنْ تَكَلَّمَ عَلَى اَلْخَلاَءِ لَمْ تُقْضَ حَاجَتُهُ.

It has been narrated: "Whoever speaks while in the restroom will not have his needs fulfilled”.

وَ إِنَّ اَلنَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ قَالَ لِبَعْضِ نِسَائِهِ: «مُرِي اَلنِّسَاءَ اَلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ أَنْ يَسْتَنْجِينَ بِالْمَاءِ وَ يُبَالِغْنَ فَإِنَّهُ مَطْهَرَةٌ لِلْحَوَاشِي وَ مَذْهَبَةٌ لِلْبَوَاسِيرِ.

The Prophet, said to some of his wives: "Tell the believing women to perform istinja with water and to be thorough in it, for it is a means of purification for the private parts and helps prevent hemorrhoids."

ولا يجوز التغوط في فيئ النزال وتحت الأشجار المثمرة، والعلة في ذلك:

It is not permissible to relieve oneself in shaded areas or under fruit-bearing trees. The reasoning for this is: (continues to next Hadith)

مَا قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ اَلْبَاقِرُ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: «إِنَّ لِلَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وتَعَالَى مَلاَئِكَةً وَكَّلَهُمْ بِنَبَاتِ اَلْأَرْضِ مِنَ اَلشَّجَرِ وَ اَلنَّخْلِ فَلَيْسَ مِنْ شَجَرَةٍ وَ لاَ نَخْلَةٍ إِلاَّ وَ مَعَهَا مِنَ اَللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَلَكٌ يَحْفَظُهَا وَ مَا كَانَ مِنْهَا وَ لَوْ لاَ أَنَّ مَعَهَا مَنْ يَمْنَعُهَا لَأَكَلَتْهَا اَلسِّبَاعُ وَ هَوَامُّ اَلْأَرْضِ إِذَا كَانَ فِيهَا ثَمَرَتُهَا.

Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (a.s) said: "Indeed, Allah (swt), Blessed and Exalted, has appointed angels to protect the vegetation of the earth, including trees and palm trees. There is no tree or palm except that there is an angel with it from Allah (swt), Mighty and Majestic, who guards it. If it were not for the presence of those angels to protect them, wild animals and pests would consume their fruits."

وَ إِنَّمَا نَهَى رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ أَنْ يَضْرِبَ أَحَدٌ مِنَ اَلْمُسْلِمِينَ خَلاَءَهُ تَحْتَ شَجَرَةٍ أَوْ نَخْلَةٍ قَدْ أَثْمَرَتْ لِمَكَانِ اَلْمَلاَئِكَةِ اَلْمُوَكَّلِينَ بِهَا» قَالَ «وَ لِذَلِكَ يَكُونُ اَلشَّجَرُ وَ اَلنَّخْلُ أُنْساً إِذَا كَانَ فِيهِ حَمْلُهُ لِأَنَّ اَلْمَلاَئِكَةَ تَحْضُرُهُ.

(Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (a.s) ) has narrated: "The Messenger of Allah (saws) prohibited any Muslim from relieving himself under a tree or palm that has borne fruit due to the presence of the angels assigned to them. Imam (a.s) said: 'That is why trees and palms seem luster when they bear fruit, for the angels are present there.'".

ومن لا ينقطع بوله ويغلبه فالله أولى بالعذر فليتق علته ما استطاع وليتخذ خريطة. ومن بال ولم يتغوط فليس عليه الاستنجاء وإنما عليه غسل ذكره، ومن تغوط ولم يبل فليس عليه أن يغسل ذكره وإنما عليه أن يستنجي. ومن توضأ ثم خرجت منه ريح فليس عليه الاستنجاء وإنما عليه إعادة الوضوء.

For one who suffers from a continual inability to control their urine, Allah (swt) is more deserving of the excuse. They should take precautions as much as they can and should use a cloth (to protect themselves). (means to prevent urine from spreading). If someone urinates but does not defecate, they are not required to perform istinja; they only need to wash their private part. If someone defecates but does not urinate, they are not required to wash their private part, but they must perform istinja. If someone performs ablution and then passes gas, they are not required to perform istinja; they only need to repeat their ablution.

وَ رُوِيَ: أَنَّ أَبَا اَلْحَسَنِ اَلرِّضَا عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ كَانَ يَسْتَيْقِظُ مِنْ نَوْمِهِ فَيَتَوَضَّأُ وَ لاَ يَسْتَنْجِي وَقَالَ كَالْمُتَعَجِّبِ مِنْ رَجُلٍ سَمَّاهُ «بَلَغَنِي أَنَّهُ إِذَا خَرَجَتْ مِنْهُ رِيحٌ اِسْتَنْجَى.

It was narrated that Abu Al-Hasan Imam Ali ibn Musa Ar-Ridha (a.s) would awaken from his sleep, perform ablution, and not perform istinja. He expressed astonishment at a man whom he referred to, saying, "I have heard that when he passes gas, he performs istinja."