Facing the Qibla during Istinja' and Ghusl

Question

If in a mosque a washroom or a place for istinja' has been built in such a way that, when one goes to bathe or goes for istinja', the seating faces the qibla, and if one stands or sits otherwise the face is towards the qibla — is this proper? If it is not proper, what is the ruling on it? Please write in detail. If such washrooms have already been built, what should be done about them?

Answer

Sitting facing the qibla to perform istinja', or facing the qibla for ghusl, is contrary to etiquette (adab). Therefore, either the direction of these washrooms should be changed, or, if that is difficult, people should, when performing istinja' and when performing ghusl — in short, when in a state of nakedness — not face the qibla, but perform istinja' and ghusl having turned…

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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