1/18. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 323 — Constructed Toilet and Qiblah
Permission concerning that in the toilet with walls and its permissiblity, not in deserts
Hadith About Constructed Toilet and Qiblah Direction
Sunan Ibn Majah : 323
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 323
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى، حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُوسَى، عَنْ عِيسَى الْحَنَّاطِ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ فِي كَنِيفِهِ مُسْتَقْبِلَ الْقِبْلَةِ . قَالَ عِيسَى فَقُلْتُ ذَلِكَ لِلشَّعْبِيِّ فَقَالَ صَدَقَ ابْنُ عُمَرَ وَصَدَقَ أَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ أَمَّا قَوْلُ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ فَقَالَ فِي الصَّحْرَاءِ لاَ يَسْتَقْبِلِ الْقِبْلَةَ وَلاَ يَسْتَدْبِرْهَا وَأَمَّا قَوْلُ ابْنِ عُمَرَ فَإِنَّ الْكَنِيفَ لَيْسَ فِيهِ قِبْلَةٌ اسْتَقْبِلْ فِيهِ حَيْثُ شِئْتَ . قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو حَاتِمٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُوسَى، فَذَكَرَ نَحْوَهُ .
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
I saw the Messenger of Allah in his (constructed) toilet, facing towards the Qiblah." (Da'if) (One of the narrators) 'Eisa said: "I told that to Sha'bi, and he said: 'Ibn 'Umar spoke the truth. As for the words of Abu Hurairah, he said: "In the desert do not face the Qiblah nor turn one's back towards it." As for the words of Ibn 'Umar, he said: "In the (constructed) toilet there is no Qiblah so turn in whatever direction you want." Another chain with similar wording.
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 323In-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 57English translation : Vol. 1, Book 1, Hadith 323
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 323
This hadith about constructed toilet and Qiblah direction includes two parts. First, Ibn Umar says that he saw the Messenger of Allah in his constructed toilet facing the Qiblah. The translation also marks the report as Da'if. Then Eisa says he mentioned this to Sha'bi, and Sha'bi answered by bringing together the reports of Ibn Umar and Abu Hurairah. In the wording quoted here, Abu Hurairah’s statement is linked to the desert: do not face the Qiblah or turn one’s back toward it. Ibn Umar’s statement is linked to a constructed toilet. The explanation should stay with this text and not turn it into a broad ruling beyond what is stated.
What we learn from this hadith
- The narration is marked Da'if in the provided translation.
- The report separates an open desert setting from a constructed toilet setting.
- Sha'bi tried to understand both narrations without rejecting either wording.
- Careful reading helps avoid mixing different situations.
