Fatwa: # 15724
Category: Misc. Fiqh
Country: United States
Date: 6th October 2007

Title

American toilets, either they are too dirty or splashed all over, I dont want to sit on them, even after putting the paper disposable seat, 2nd thing, they dont have any water in the toilets. So is it okay to urinate in the urinals

Question

American toilets, either they are too dirty or splashed all over, I dont want to sit on them, even after putting the paper disposable seat, 2nd thing, they dont have any water in the toilets.

So is it okay to urinate in the urinals - what I do is when I go to the restroom, I wet 2-3 tissue-papers and then urinate and then try to thorougly clean with the wet tissues from all side, so that there is no urine  traces / drops remain and then i throw away the tissue paper. Is this okay to do?

I have searched all the forums and nobody has brought up a question like this, even though it is the ONLY way all the american toilets are, no matter its office, or restaurant, airports, or anywhere else (even some halal restaurants dont have water or any lota(jug) which is very sick to me)

Answer

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatoh

It is not permissible for a person to expose his private area to anyone except his wife. This area in a man is from his navel up to his knees. Using the public urinals would entail exposing this area, hence not permissible.

If the toilet area cannot be cleaned, and the need arises you may relieve yourself inside the toilet without sitting on the pan. You should keep a small bottle of water to use for your Istinja. If bottle is not available wiping with the wet tissue will suffice.

And Allah knows best

Wassalam

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Darul Iftaa

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