Lavatories in Masjids

Q: We are a group of worshippers at a Masjid (mosque) where there is a toilet inside the building of the Masjid that is almost adjacent to the Musalla (the place for prayer) and is only separated by a wall. As a result, those who enter the toilet to relieve themselves face in the direction of the Qiblah (Ka`bah-direction faced in Prayer) when doing so. Your Eminence, we would like you to give us the legal opinion on whether there is any objection to keeping it this way. What do you advise in this regard? Kindly give us a Fatwa (legal opinion issued by a qualified Muslim scholar) for the benefit of all. May Allah reward you. A: The toilets should be separated by a wall to be located outside the Masjid. Thereafter, it does not matter which direction it is adjacent to in the Masjid. As for facing the direction of the Qiblah when being in the toilet, there is no harm in that, as it is inside the building of the Masjid according to the soundest opinion of the scholars. It has been authentically reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) in a Hadith narrated by Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father), which indicates the permissibility of facing the direction of Qiblah or turning one's back towards it while urinating or defecating, as long as the toilet is inside the building. (Part No. 5; Page No. 233

A: The toilets should be separated by a wall to be located outside the Masjid. Thereafter, it does not matter which direction it is adjacent to in the Masjid. As for facing the direction of the Qiblah when being in the toilet, there is no harm in that, as it is inside the building of the Masjid according to the soundest opinion of the scholars. It has been authentically reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) in a Hadith narrated by Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father), which indicates the permissibility of facing the direction of Qiblah or turning one's back towards it while urinating or defecating, as long as the toilet is inside the building. (Part No. 5; Page No. 233) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.