Chapter 12
Remembrance 1 from Chapter 12
The prohibition of doing dhikr or talking while in the lavatory
Context
BOTH DHIKR AND talking are makrūh whilst relieving oneself, whether outdoors or in a building. This applies to dhikr and speech except what is necessary, so much so that some of our colleagues state that even if a person sneezes he should not praise Allah
, nor should he respond to one who sneezes, return a greeting, or respond to the mu’adhdhin. Anyone who greets him will be neglectful [of this ruling] and will not deserve a reply. All such talk is makrūh in order to be free of imperfection but it is not ḥarām. If one sneezes and praises Allah in his heart without moving the tongue there is no harm; one should do likewise during sexual intercourse.