Can I urinate standing up in college?
In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.
Answer
Saaiduna Huzaifah Radiallahu Anhu narrates that the Prophet Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam went to a public garbage dump and urinated standing. (Sahih Bukhari p.35 v.1)
However, Saaidah Aaisha Radiallahu Anha has said, “If someone relates to you that Allah’s messenger Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam urinated while standing, do not believe him. He Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam only urinated while sitting”. Imam Tirmizi (RA) states, “It is the best and most authentic narration on this point”. (Sunan Tirmizi p.9 v.1)
Hafiz bin Hajr (RA) brought the two narrations into agreement by saying that what Aaisha Radiallahu Anha said is based on the knowledge that she had i.e. what happened within the house. On the other hand, the other narration relates to what happened outdoors. So such narration was recorded by Saaiduna Huzaifah Radiallahu Anhu who was one of the senior companions of the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam. (Fathul Bari p.414 v.1)
According to the Hanafi Fiqh, to urinate standing up is Makruh Tanzihi. Scholars have commented on those narrations in which the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam urinated standing up in the following ways:
- In the public dumping ground there was so much impurity that it was difficult for the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam to sit down and urinate.
- The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam at the time was experiencing pain in his knees, which made it difficult for him to sit down. (Sunan Baihaqi)
- The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam urinated standing up to show that occasionally a person can urinate standing up.(Bayan Jawaz)(Raddul Muhtar p.557 v.1)
The wisdom of sitting down to urinate is that is said to be healthier for bodies and there is less chance of urine splashing on ones clothes. It is mentioned in a hadith that the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam passed by one of the gardens of Madinah or Makkah, and he heard the sound of two persons being punished in their graves. The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam said: “They are being punished, but they are not being punished for anything that was difficult to avoid.” Then he said, “No. One of them used not to protect himself from his urine, and the other used to walk around spreading malicious gossip.” Then he called for a palm leaf, which he split in two and put one piece on each grave. It was said to him, “O Messenger of Allah, why did you do that?’ He said, “May their punishment be reduced so long as this does not dry out (or until this dries out).” (Sahih Bukhari p.34 v.1)
With regards to your question if there is a doubt on whether the toilet seat is pure or not then if possible try to clean the area with water if available. We should try our best to act upon the sunnah of the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam at all times. However, if cleaning the area is not possible then you will be allowed to urinate standing up.
Only Allah Knows Best
Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
