What is the ruling on one who urinates by the roadside despite their home being nearby, and does not perform ghusl with water but rather with a paper towel?
Urination or defecation in people's pathways or resting places is forbidden because it causes harm, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Beware of the two accursed things." It was asked: "What are the two accursed things?" He replied: "One who relieves himself in people's pathways or in their shade." This also necessitates the uncovering of one's nakedness, which is forbidden except out of necessity. Cleansing with water is superior, and it is permissible to cleanse with any other solid, pure substance that removes the impurity and is not sacred, based on the hadith of Ibn Mas'ud, who mentioned that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, took two stones from him and rejected the dung, saying about it: "This is defiled," meaning impure.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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