A Muslim must first find an acceptable place away from standing water, people's pathways, or shade. It is advised that it is better to enter the area with the left foot, and it is prohibited to face directly towards the
Qibla (direction of prayer towards
Mecca) or directly opposite from it. It is reported in the collection of hadith,
Sahih al-Bukhari, that just before entering the toilet,
Muhammad said: (. Following his example, Muslims are advised to say this
Dua before entering into the toilet. While on the toilet, one must remain silent. Talking and initiating or answering greetings are strongly discouraged. Eating any food while on the toilet is forbidden. After defecating, the anus must be
washed with water using the left hand, or an odd number of smooth stones or pebbles called
jamrah or
hijaarah (Sahih Al-Bukhari 161, Book 4, Hadith 27). Many jurists agree that
toilet paper suffices in place of these stones. Similarly, the
penis or
vulva should be washed with water using the left hand after urinating, a procedure called
istinja. It is commonly done using a vessel known as a
aftabeh,
lota, or
bodna. When leaving the toilet, one is advised to exit with the right foot "Praise be to Allah who relieved me of the filth and gave me relief." ==See also==