Islamic teachings provide comprehensive guidance on every aspect of life, including every daily routine action, such as eating, drinking, sleeping, leaving or entering the house, and so on. Apart from teaching manners for the performance of daily life actions, Islam also recommends Duas (supplication) before and after the performance of important daily matters. The logic behind supplicating before or after any daily task is remembering Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ and seeking His guidance, support, mercy, and blessings.
Likewise, the Islamic teachings have recommended a specific Dua that must be made before entering the toilet.
Anas Ibn Malik (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) narrated that, "Whenever the Messenger of Allah entered the toilet, he would say: 'A'udhu Billahi minal-khubthi wa'l-khaba'ith (I seek refuge with Allah from male and female devils)." – Sunan Ibn Majah 298.
The source for the dua before entering the toilet, recommended to be recited before entering the toilet, has been cited by Hadith 6322 of Sahih Al-Bukhari and Hadith 375a of Sahih Muslim. So, the dua can be cited as reliable and authentic. It is also Sunnah to recite this dua before one steps inside the toilet to avoid harm from Shayateen.
One must remember that the believers have been instructed not to linger in the toilet for too long and to leave immediately once all activities are finished. The etiquette taught by Islam is to step inside the toilet by putting your left foot first and exit the toilet by putting your right foot outside first. Other Islamic etiquette also instructs to practice silence when inside the toilets and avoid unnecessary speaking. These guidelines protect us from Shaytan and Jinns, who are known to reside in unclean places (such as toilets).
Home & Family Duas
Bismillaahi. Allaahumma 'innee 'a'oothu bika minal-khubthi walkhabaa'ith.
In the Name of Allah. O Allah, I seek protection in You from the male and female unclean spirits.
O Allah, I seek protection in You from the male and female unclean spirits.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْخُبُثِ وَالْخَبَائِثِ
Allahumma inni a‘udhu bika minal khubuthi wal khaba’ith.
Dua - اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْخُبُثِ وَالْخَبَائِثِ
Urdu Translation - اے اللہ !میں آپ کی پناہ پکڑتا ہوں تمام شیاطین (مردوں اورعورتوں) کے شرسے
Dua - اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْخُبُثِ وَالْخَبَائِثِ
Meaning – The Dua recommended for recitation before entering the toilet translates to “O Allah, I seek protection in You from the male and female unclean spirits." It means that while entering the toilet, the person is taking refuge in Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ against the possibility of being harmed by the devil and Jinns. As mentioned in Hadiths, reported in authentic collections, such as Hadith 7 of Sunan Abi Dawood, the impure places like toilets are mostly inhabited by devils and other harmful spirits. This Dua specifically means that the reciter is seeking protection against such evil spirits.
Dua for entering the toilet can be easily downloaded in PDF for printing or reading purposes, from the website of MuslimandQuran by following these simple steps:
The toilets or any other such place of impurity is most likely to be inhabited by Jinns, Satan, and harmful spirits. Hence, it is highly important for Muslims to seek the protection of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ against any ill effects of such harmful spirits. That's why it is highly recommended in Islam to recite a specific Dua before entering the toilet. Moreover, it is also an act of Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ to recite Dua while entering the toilet, narrates it as follows:
Translation - The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: These privies are frequented by the jinns and devils. So when anyone amongst you goes there, he should say: "I seek refuge in Allah from male and female devils."
Seeking refuge from the devil or evil spirits is also emphasized in the Quran in several verses, such as the 97th verse of Surah Al-Mu’minoon.
Translation - Say: "My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the evil promptings of the devils.
Hence, seeking protection from evil or Satan holds great significance in Islam. That's why Muslims recite a specific dua before entering the toilet.
The etiquette of entering a toilet, as recommended by scholars, is summarized as follows:
There are several benefits to reciting this Dua that are as follows:
Many people wish to recite Bismillah before they make their wadhu. However, it's not uncommon to wonder whether it is appropriate to recite a dua once you're inside the toilet. However, scholars are of the opinion that it is makruh (disliked) to mention the name of Allah in the toilet. Others seem it appropriate to recite it in one's heart without uttering it out loud.
Supplicating before entering the toilet is highly virtuous and bears great wisdom:
ِاللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْخُبُثِ وَالْخَبَائِث - O Allah, I seek refuge in You from male and female evil spirits.
Dua must be recited before entering the toilet, not after entering it.
As per the Islamic teachings, the toilet is a place of impurity and most likely to be inhabited by harmful spirits, like devils. Hence, Muslims are advised to recite a specific Dua before entering the toilet to seek Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ protection from Satan and other evil spirits.
No, it is not a sinful act if someone forgets to recite the specific Dua before entering the toilet. But it is highly recommended and emphasized in Islamic teachings because it is also an act of Sunnah.