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:

Salam, recently someone told me that one should not speak in the bathroom as it is STRICTLY prohibited in Islam. Is this really true? For instance, if someone knocks to ask when you will come out or asks some question, is it wrong to answer? Additionally, may you tell me the dua which one should say before entering the bathroom as well. Thank You!

(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:

Speaking from 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 none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: …someone told me that one should not speak in the bathroom as it is STRICTLY prohibited in Islam. Is this really true?

Fiqh-us-Sunnah Fiqh 1.17b

Topic: One should not talk when answering the call of nature.

One should not respond to a greeting, or repeat what the caller to prayer is saying. He may speak if there is some necessity (i.e., to guide a blind man, or a child, etc. who fears they may be harmed). If he sneezes, he should praise Allah to himself and simply move his lips (without making a sound).

Ibn Umar related that a man passed by the Prophet (saws), and greeted him while he (the Prophet (saws)) was urinating. The Prophet (saws) did not return his greeting.

Related by Muslim.

Abu Sa'eed reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah (saws) say, "Allah detests those who converse while they relieve themselves?"

Related by Ahmad, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah.

In light of the absolutely clear guidance of the Messenger of Allah (saws), the absolute majority of the scholars and jurists in Islam consider it forbidden and discourage conversing, unless absolutely necessary or in a state of emergency, when one is answering the call of nature.

Additionally, may you tell me the dua which one should say before entering the bathroom as well.

Anas reports that when the Messenger of Allah (saws) entered the privy he (saws) would say: ‘Audobillahe minal khabthe wal khabaaith’ (I seek refuge in Allah from all evil beings and all evil things.)

Related by Muslim.

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

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan