PURIFICATION SECTION · 19 – COVERING ONESELF IN THE LAVATORY
35 – It is narrated from Abū Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever applies kohl, let him do so an odd number of times; whoever does so has done well, and there is no sin upon one who does not. Whoever uses stones (for cleaning after relieving himself), let him do so an odd number of times; whoever does so has done well, and there is no sin upon one who does not. Whoever eats something and picks his teeth, let him spit out what comes out from between his teeth and swallow what adheres to his tongue; whoever does so has done well, and there is no hardship upon one who does not. Whoever goes to the lavatory, let him cover himself; if he cannot find anything to cover himself with, let him heap up some sand and turn his back to it. For the shayṭān (Satan) plays with the sitting place of the son of Adam. Whoever does this (heaping up sand) has done well, and whoever does not, there is no sin upon him.” [54]
EXPLANATION
1 – The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) used to apply kohl; every night before sleeping, he would apply kohl three times to one eye and three times to the other with the stick from the kohl container. Using kohl and doing so an odd number of times is an act in accordance with the sunnah. The hadith also states that there is no blame upon one who does not use kohl or does not do so an odd number of times.
2 – It is in accordance with the sunnah of the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) for one who uses stones for cleaning after defecation to use three stones. If one uses stones but cannot find three, or if one uses water and cannot use any stones at all, it is clarified that there is no sin in this.
3 – It is good for a person who eats to remove and throw away the crumbs between his teeth, and to swallow what adheres to his tongue. It is stated that there is no objection if one does not pick his teeth with a toothpick or the like, or does not swallow what comes to his tongue. As mentioned previously in hadith number 6, the shayāṭīn (devils) are present at places where people relieve themselves. At such times, covering oneself and standing behind a screen protects one from the gaze of the devils and those who follow the whisperings of the shayṭān.