Salman said, “He (meaning God’s messenger) forbade us to face the qibla when easing ourselves or passing water, or to wipe ourselves with the right hand, or to wipe ourselves with less than three stones, or to wipe ourselves with dung or bone.”Muslim transmitted it.
Purification: Mishkat al-Masabih 336
This narration from Salman al-Farsi contains multiple important rulings regarding the etiquette of relieving oneself, as transmitted by Imam Muslim in his Sahih.
Prohibition of Facing the Qibla
The prohibition against facing the qibla while relieving oneself demonstrates the honor and sanctity accorded to the direction of prayer. Scholars differentiate between open areas and built structures - the prohibition is stronger in open spaces, while some concession exists in buildings with proper containment.
Right Hand Etiquette
Forbidding the use of the right hand for cleaning after relieving oneself preserves the dignity of the right hand, which is used for eating, drinking, giving and receiving, and other honorable acts. The left hand is designated for cleaning impurities.
Minimum Cleaning Requirement
The requirement of at least three stones ensures thorough purification. Scholars explain this means using three separate wiping motions or three separate cleaning implements to guarantee complete removal of impurities.
Prohibition of Impure Materials
The prohibition against using dung and bone stems from multiple wisdoms: these materials are food for jinn (as mentioned in other narrations), they are unsuitable for proper cleaning, and using them shows disrespect to what could potentially be used by other creatures.
Scholarly Consensus
These rulings represent established positions across the schools of Islamic jurisprudence, with minor differences in application. They collectively form the comprehensive Islamic etiquette of purification, combining physical cleanliness with spiritual awareness.