Places Not Desirable to Use as a Lavatory

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah has said, ’It is of proper understanding (of law) for a man to search for and prepare a place for urination.’”

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once a man asked Ali ibn Al-Husayn (a.s.), ‘Where should outsiders take Wudu’?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘They should avoid places like the banks of the canals, open roads, under fruit-bearing trees and places that may subject one to public condemnation.’ Someone asked, ‘What kind of places are such?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘One example is the front portions of the doors of houses.’”

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya through the chain of his narrators in a marfu‘ manner has said the following: “Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), was asked about (one’s condition) when defecating. He (the Imam) said, ‘One should not face the direction of al-Ka‘bah, turn one’s back toward al-Ka‘bah, face the direction from which wind blows or turn one’s back to such direction.’” It is narrated in another Hadith that one should not face toward the sun or moon (when using the toilet).

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Holy prophet prohibited one’s allowing his urine to sprinkle from rooftops or high places in the air.”

“Once, abu Hanifah came out of a meeting with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). Abu al-Hassan, Musa, a young boy at that time, was standing in the meeting place. Abu Hanifah asked him, ‘O young man, where does an outsider relieve himself of nature’s demand in your town?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘You must avoid the courtyard of a Masjid, banks of canals, places where fruits fall from trees and people’s rest areas. Do not face the direction of al-Ka‘bah, when defecating or urinating and keep your clothes away (from pollution). Thereafter relieve yourself wherever you like.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Three characteristics subject one to condemnation: Defecating in the shadows which are used as rest areas, obstructing people from reaching water for public use or public road.”