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:

Assalaamualaekum...

Dear brother, It might sound a bit embarassing but i wanted to know what duas can be read when visiting public washrooms\bathrooms. I live in India and while travelling long distances by train or bus we have to reluctantly make use of the public loo. Which most of the times are

extremely dirty with "na`pak" stuff left behind. i am aware that in such situations the effect of evil spirits is stronger than ever. What can we do to protect ourselves in such cases.. what dua can be read before or after visiting such places.

I will appreciate any help in this matter.

(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:

Dua enter and leave toilet

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.

Upon entering the toilet, the Messenger of Allah (saws) would recite this supplication:

Fiqh-us-Sunnah Fiqh 1.17a

Anas reported that when the Messenger of Allah (saws) entered the privy to relieve himself, he (saws) would say, "In the name of Allah. O Allah! I seek refuge in You from male and female noxious beings (the Shayateen)."

This is related by Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi.

Upon exiting the toilets, the Messenger of Allah would recite these supplications:

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 359 Narrated by Aisha

When Allah's Messenger (saws) came out from the privy, he said: ‘(I seek) forgiveness from Thee, O Allah.’

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 374 Narrated by Anas ibn Malik

When Allah's Messenger (saws) came out from the privy, he said: ‘Praise be to Allah Who has removed injurious things from me, and kept me in health.’

It is reported that the Messenger of Allah (saws) would say upon exiting the toilets: “O Allah, make me amongst those who constantly turn in repentance to You, and amongst those who keep themselves pure and clean.”

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