Urinating standing up

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:

1. 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.
2. 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)
3. 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)

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham