Direction of sitting while answering the call of nature indoors

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Q: Your Eminence, we are about to build administrative buildings in Al-Salil district. We have disagreed with the person in charge with regard to building the toilets in the direction of Makkah. It should be taken into consideration that all the toilets are inside the buildings and not outdoors. The toilets will be used by men only. Please tell us if it is permissible to assume a sitting position while answering the call of nature. Is it permissible to answer the call of nature in any direction in these toilets? Please advise.

A: It is permissible to sit while answering the call of nature in bathrooms inside buildings in any direction as evidence of the case can be found in texts authentically reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him). However, it is preferable not to face the Qiblah (Ka`bah-direction faced in Prayer) or turn the back towards it when answering the call of nature indoors, if possible, to avoid the divergent opinions of scholars. Whereas outdoors, it is not permissible to turn one's face or back towards the Qiblah when answering the call of nature. It was reported in the Two Sahih (authentic) Books of Hadith (i.e. Al-Bukhari and Muslim) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Neither turn your face nor turn your back towards the Qiblah while answering the call of nature. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.