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Must the toilet not face the Qiblah, even if there is a wall in front of it?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

"It is prohibited to face or turn one's back to the Qibla while relieving oneself. The majority of scholars hold that this prohibition applies specifically to open spaces, not to buildings. However, others maintain that it is absolutely forbidden.

In buildings, it is more cautious to avoid facing or turning one's back to the Qibla, to err on the side of caution and avoid disagreement.

The Permanent Committee for Issuing Fatwas summarized this issue by stating that the correct view is the permissibility of facing or turning one's back to the Qibla when relieving oneself inside a building or with a screen (satir). It is prohibited in open spaces without a screen, based on hadiths that combine the prohibition in open spaces with the concession in buildings or with a screen.

As for new architectural designs that have not yet been implemented and include restrooms facing or backing the Qibla, it is more prudent to modify them. However, there is no sin if they are not modified."

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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