Fatwa ID: 08203
Answered by: Mawlana Abdurrahman Mohammad
Question:
Is this from an Islamic practice or a cleanliness practice? Can you please enlighten us on this? A mother who lives alone has children who come to visit her, sometimes stay with her for a few days. Her children are aged between 40 and 60. When she goes to the toilet, she never flushes the toilet for urine, so the children must either urinate on their mother’s urine or flush the toilet, but sometimes they are told off because their mother says that they are using water, so we have to save money. Can you give us some advice on this situation? I would like to point out that the mother in question does not suffer from any degeneration such as senility or any other apparent illness? Do children have to comply with the requirements of the sea or flush the toilet when they go to urinate? I would like to point out that the sea never does this practice when there are guests other than children visiting it, which has led some children to believe that it is bullying them. Please enlighten us on the practice of urinating without flushing the toilet.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
It is proper etiquette that a person flushes the toilet after using it. Unless there is a valid reason, like a drought, poverty, or unreasonably high cost of water, there should be no reason not to flush the toilet. From the Shariah, we learn about the importance of cleanliness and purity.
And Allah loves those who purify themselves.[1]
Surely Allah loves those who always turn to Him in repentance and those who purify themselves.[2]
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Cleanliness is half of faith[3]
We also understand that the earth has a right and that we should not waste water, but everything should be done with wisdom and moderation. By leaving impurities in the toilet, the entire bathroom will smell and inconvenience inhabitants and guests. People do not like looking at feces and it displeases and harms them. Impurities are a breeding ground for sicknesses and diseases and may cause people to get sick. It may attract bugs and cause plumbing issues. It is important to note that filth attracts evil Jinn. That is why the Prophet SWS instructed us to read the Dua when entering the bathroom. To prevent Jinn problems in the house, it is important to keep it clean and not leave filth lying around.
The best approach would be to advise the mother and mention that the Shariah emphasizes purity and cleanliness. Also, mention that it is basic etiquette to flush the toilet and prevent the bathroom from smelling due to filth. Furthermore, mention that evil Jinn love filthy places and that this practice may invite them to her house and cause problems. Consider purchasing modern toilets designed to reduce water consumption and limit water usage in other ways.
Only Allah (عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ) knows best.
Written by Mawlana Abdurrahman Mohammad
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
References:
[1] لَا تَقُمْ فِيهِ أَبَدًۭا ۚ لَّمَسْجِدٌ أُسِّسَ عَلَى ٱلتَّقْوَىٰ مِنْ أَوَّلِ يَوْمٍ أَحَقُّ أَن تَقُومَ فِيهِ ۚ فِيهِ رِجَالٌۭ يُحِبُّونَ أَن يَتَطَهَّرُوا۟ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُطَّهِّرِينَ
(Surah At-Tawbah 9:108)
[2] وَيَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلْمَحِيضِ ۖ قُلْ هُوَ أَذًۭى فَٱعْتَزِلُوا۟ ٱلنِّسَآءَ فِى ٱلْمَحِيضِ ۖ وَلَا تَقْرَبُوهُنَّ حَتَّىٰ يَطْهُرْنَ ۖ فَإِذَا تَطَهَّرْنَ فَأْتُوهُنَّ مِنْ حَيْثُ أَمَرَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلتَّوَّٰبِينَ وَيُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:222)
[3] الطُّهُورُ شَطْرُ الإِيمَانِ
(Sahih Muslim 223, Book 2, Hadith 1)
