*** The ruling on urinating while standing ***

[Zaheer A Khan]

Bismillaah:

Imam Abdur Razaaq Al Afeefi رحمه الله said:

It is not forbidden for a person to urinate while standing, because it has been authentically reported by al Bukhari and Muslim, on the authority of Huthaifah رضي الله عنه that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم came to the rubbish pit of a people and urinated while standing. Permission to urinate standing has also been narrated from Umar, Ali, ibn Umar and Zaid bin Thaabit, رضي الله عنهما due to the above mentioned Hadeeth.

But it is prescribed by the Sunnah for a person to urinate sitting, according to the words of A’ishah رضي الله عنها who said:

" Whoever told you that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم urinated standing, do not believe him. He did not urinated except sitting."

Takhreej:

{ Imam Nisaa’i in his Sunnan # 29 and At Tirmithi said: ‘This is the best and most correct saying in this matter – also because it is better to guard and protect him from being splashed with his own urine }

{ Majmu al Fataawa Al Kubrah 2/36-37 }

Al Hafiz Ibn Hajr Al Asqalaani رحمه الله commented:

The statement of Aishah رضي الله عمها is based upon her own observation of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم practice indoors. As for what he did outdoors, she did not observe what he did there. Leading companions observed the opposite that he صلى الله عليه وسلم urinated Standing such as [ Mugheerah ] and Huzaifah. And it has been confirmed from Umar, Ali and others that they urinated in the standing position, which is proof of its permissibly, and it is not disliked, so long as there is no splatter.

{ Fath ul Baari 1/330 }

Imam an Nawaawi رحمه الله commented:

To urinate in the sitting position is most desirable in my opinion, but to do so while standing is permissible. Both acts are confirmed by the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم.

{ Al Minhaaj Sharh saheeh Muslim }

Imam Shams ul Haqq Abu Tayyib رحمه الله commented:

'' Some claimed that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم did that because he had pain in his back and legs but this is not confirmed by any Saheeh Ahadeeth.''

{ Awn ul Ma'bud Sharh Abu Dawud }

Al Alaamah Hasan Bin Al Halaaq رحمه الله commented:

As for the ahadeeth which prohibited urinating in the standing, they are all weak and may not be used as proof.

{ Al Lubaab 1/134 }

In conclusion:

If a person urinates in the standing position there is no sin upon him. However, two conditions must be met:

[1 ] He must safeguard his garments or his body from becoming sullied with urine.

[ 2 ] He must safe guard his private parts from being seen by anyone.

If these conditions are fulfilled then there is no harm or sin to urinate in the standing position. This is the opinion of Imam Malik, Ahmad, Ibn Al Musayyab, Urwa ibn Zubair, Sufyan at Thawri, Ibn Al Munthir, An Nawaawi, Abdul Azeez ibn Baaz, Al Azeemabaadi, Sayyid Saabiq, Al Albaani and others رحمهم الله

*** And Allaah عزوجل knows best ***