How do you stop urine drops after using the toilet?

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of Allah Most Merciful Most Kind

Short Answer

Yes, it is very important to stop urine drops (Istibraa) after relieving yourself. Many things have been suggested by scholars regarding how. Amongst them, walking on the spot, leaning to the left side, clearing the throat. Istibraa is not a significant concern for females. But it is for men.

Hadith

عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا، مَرَّ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَلَى قَبْرَيْنِ فَقَالَ: إِنَّهُمَا لَيُعَذَّبَانِ وَمَا يُعَذَّبَانِ مِنْ كَبِيرٍ. ثُمَّ قَالَ: بَلَى أَمَّا أَحَدُهُمَا فَكَانَ يَسْعَى بِالنَّمِيمَةِ، وَأَمَّا أَحَدُهُمَا فَكَانَ لاَ يَسْتَتِرُ مِنْ بَوْلِهِ. قَالَ: ثُمَّ أَخَذَ عُودًا رَطْبًا، فَكَسَرَهُ بِاثْنَتَيْنِ، ثُمَّ غَرَزَ كُلَّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمَا عَلَى قَبْرٍ، ثُمَّ قَالَ: لَعَلَّهُ يُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُمَا مَا لَمْ يَيْبَسَا

Ibn Abbas (May Allah Most High be pleased with them both) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ passed by two graves and said: They are being punished, but not for something great. Then he ﷺ added: Yes, one of them used to spread Nameemah while the other did not take care in preventing urine from soiling him.” He (Ibn Abbas) said, then he ﷺ took a date palm stalk and split it into two pieces. He ﷺ planted one piece on each grave and said: Their punishment may be lightened whilst they remain fresh. (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1378).

In the Sahih Hadith above, the Prophet ﷺ warns against allowing urine to soil one’s clothes or body. This is not an insignificant matter since it can impact the validity of prayer. If a person were to start Wudu (ablution) prior to stopping the urine drops then the Wudu will be rendered invalid. Also, if one were to pray with an excessive amount of urine on the body or clothes then the prayer would be nullified.

The above narration is not the only Hadith speaking about the importance of clearing urine after urinating (Istibraa). Rather the Prophet ﷺ addressed this concern on several occasions, due to its importance. Therefore, Muslims must give it due consideration without going to extremes and falling prey to Waswasah.

How to stop urine drops

The specific method used to stop urine drops (Istibraa) will differ from person to person. This is because a particular manner will be more suited and beneficial to one person and a different method will work for another. Therefore, the suggestions made by scholars should be adopted based upon personal suitability.

يلزم الرجل الاستبراء حتى يزول أثر البول ويطمئن قلبه على حسب عادته إما بالمشي أو التنحنح أو الاضطجاع أو غيره ولا يجوز له الشروع في الوضوء حتى يطمئن بزوال رشح البول. (نور الإيضاح)

A man must perform Istibraa until the remnants of urine disappear and his heart is at ease. This is done according to his habit. Either by walking (on the spot), clearing his throat, leaning to the side, or something else. It is not permissible for him to begin Wudu (ablution) until he is reassured that the leakage of urine has ended. (Imam Hasan bin Amar al-Shurunbulali, Nuru al-Idaah).

In the Nass (text) above, Imam Shurunbulali makes a few suggestions to stop urine drops. However, in his own commentary he clarifies that this will differ from person to person. Therefore, every individual should adopt that which is best suited to him.

ولا تحتاج المرأة إلى ذلك، بل تصبر قليلا ثم تستنجي واستبراء الرجل “على حسب عادته إما بالمشي، أو بالتنحنح أو الاضطجاع” على شقه الأيسر “أو غيره” بنقل أقدام وركض وعصر ذكره برفق لاختلاف عادات الناس فلا يقيد بشيء. (مراقي الفلاح شرح متن نور الإيضاح)

A woman is not in need of that. Rather, she waits a little then cleanses herself. The Istibraa of the man is according to his habit. By walking (on the spot), clearing his throat, leaning on his left side, or something else. (For example) moving his feet, stepping, or squeezing his penis gently. This is due to the differences in people’s norms. So he is not restricted to anything specific. (Imam Hasan bin Amar al-Shurunbulali, Maraaqi al-Falah).

Other suggestions

As well as repeating the above suggestions to stop urine drops Imam Ibn Abideen also spoke about the benefit of tying paper around the area. This can be very useful because it limits the time taken to stop urine drops soiling the body or clothes. After urinating a person spends a little time to clear the urethra of remnant urine. Thereafter, he ties toilet paper at the point of exit.

After tying the toilet paper, he leaves and continues with his work or other activities. If any further urine exits, then it will be caught by the toilet paper and thus will not soil his clothes. After some time, he removes the paper and performs Wudu. This method is especially beneficial for people who find that they take too much time on Istibraa (stopping urine drops).

Waswasah

Although working to stop urine drops after urinating is important, one must avoid going to extremes. This process really must not go beyond a minute or two. If one struggles, then he can adopt the method of tying toilet paper explained above. However, being excessive and spending five or ten minutes on Istibraa is dangerous. It is not only extreme and wasteful in itself. It can lead to other extremes too.

Waswasah is the term used for people who become obsessive and extreme. The Islamic teaching unreservedly warns against Waswasah. Therefore, when it comes to Istibraa one must be careful. Spend a minute or so to stop further urine drops and then move on. If you find that the drops are definitely still exiting, then use the method suggested above.

Waswasah is a significant concern. It can destroy a person’s worship and cause great hardship. Consequently, it must not be taken lightly. Nor can one allow it to persist by ignoring it. Rather the Muslim must oppose it immediately before it spirals into a substantial problem.

Conclusion

Istibraa or stopping urine drops after urinating is not really a concern for women. It is a concern for men. They must make some effort to stop urine drops. However, this must be done without falling into Waswasah and becoming extreme. The religion of Allah (Most High) is perfectly balanced. Becoming excessive in any aspect leads to contradicting it. Therefore, Istibraa must be practiced in a balanced and rational manner.

And Allah Most High Knows Best.

–Answered by Shaykh Noorud-deen Rashid (05.03.24)