Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalama Alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatu,

Jazakallah khair for your efforts in answering questions regarding our perfected deen.  Please can you tell me anything regarding flushing the toilet after urination?  We live in an environment where water is abundant, but some muslims feel that because there are people in areas where water is scarce, they do not wish to waste water by flushing the toilet each time they urinate. Jazakallah khair for your help in shading some light on this topic.

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Flushing toilets

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Islam has allowed mankind to use the blessings and bounties of Allah; but one should not be wasteful beyond one’s needs.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 7 Surah Aaraaf verse 31:O children of Adam! Adorn yourselves fully at the time of every worship. Eat and drink, but do not waste by excess, for Allah does not like the wasters.

A believer must strive to keep himself and the place under his domain pure and clean; and observe the basic manners of cleanliness… as purity is a part of Islam. Allah says in the Holy Quran that He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 222 (part):Most surely Allah loves those people who refrain from evil, and keep themselves pure and clean.

It is considered basic cleanliness for every believer, who sincerely believes in Allah and the Last Day, that he should strive to keep his heart, his house, his body, his place, his clothes, etc. pure and clean. Not flushing a toilet after use would result in the place being dirty or it would cause a smell; which is against the basic conditions of needs and cleanliness of a human being.

Allah says several times in the Quran that He has sent pure water from the skies, and one of the uses of water is that it purifies when it is used. There is no harm if one uses this blessing of Allah for his needs, but he should not be wasteful.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan