It Is Dislikes To Face The Qiblah While Relieving Oneself Sunan Abi Dawud 9

Sunan Abi Dawud 9
Arabic hadith text
حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدُ بْنُ مُسَرْهَدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ اللَّيْثِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ، رِوَايَةً قَالَ ‏"‏إِذَا أَتَيْتُمُ الْغَائِطَ فَلاَ تَسْتَقْبِلُوا الْقِبْلَةَ بِغَائِطٍ وَلاَ بَوْلٍ وَلَكِنْ شَرِّقُوا أَوْ غَرِّبُوا ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَقَدِمْنَا الشَّامَ فَوَجَدْنَا مَرَاحِيضَ قَدْ بُنِيَتْ قِبَلَ الْقِبْلَةِ فَكُنَّا نَنْحَرِفُ عَنْهَا وَنَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ ‏.‏
Translation
Narrated Abu Ayyub

Musaddad ibn Musarhad narrated to us, Sufyan narrated to us, from al-Zuhri, from Ata ibn Yazid al-Laythi, from Abu Ayyub, in a narration, that he said: "When you go to the privy, do not face the Qiblah nor turn your backs towards it when relieving yourselves or urinating, but face east or west." He said: When we came to Syria, we found that the latrines had been built facing the Qiblah, so we would turn away from them and ask Allah for forgiveness.

Commentary

Purification (Kitab Al-Taharah) - Sunan Abi Dawud 9

This hadith from Sunan Abi Dawud contains profound guidance regarding proper etiquette when answering the call of nature, demonstrating the Prophet's meticulous attention to both physical and spiritual purity.

The Prohibition Explained

The prohibition against facing or turning one's back toward the qiblah during excretion or urination stems from the honor and sanctity of the Ka'bah as the direction of Muslim prayer. The qiblah represents our spiritual orientation toward Allah, and maintaining its dignity requires avoiding such positions during impure states.

The instruction to face east or west (in Medina) provides a practical solution that ensures compliance regardless of one's geographical location relative to Mecca.

Companions' Implementation

Abu Ayyub's account demonstrates how the companions immediately applied this teaching upon encountering pre-existing toilets in Syria facing the qiblah. Their actions show: immediate compliance with prophetic guidance, seeking Allah's forgiveness for unintentional violations, and practical adjustment to circumstances.

Their seeking pardon (istighfar) indicates the seriousness with which they regarded this matter, treating even unintentional facing of the qiblah during impurity as requiring divine forgiveness.

Scholarly Consensus

The majority of scholars consider this prohibition to apply in open areas without enclosures. However, in built toilets with walls, some schools permit it due to the presence of barriers. Nevertheless, the optimal practice remains avoiding the qiblah direction entirely when possible.

This teaching reflects Islam's comprehensive approach to life, where even the most private acts are governed by spiritual awareness and respect for sacred symbols.