Adab

Adab (Arabic: أدب) in the context of behavior, refers to prescribed Islamic etiquette: “refinement, good manners, morals, decorum, decency, humaneness”. Al-Adab (Arabic: الآداب) has been defined as “decency, morals”.

While interpretation of the scope and particulars of Adab may vary among different cultures, common among these interpretations is regard for personal standing through the observation of certain codes of behavior. To exhibit Adab would be to show “proper discrimination of correct order, behavior, and taste.”

Islam has rules of etiquette and an ethical code involving every aspect of life. Muslims refer to Adab as good manners, courtesy, respect, and appropriateness, covering acts such as entering or exiting a washroom, posture when sitting, and cleansing oneself.

wikipedia/en/Adab%20(Islam)

Islamic etiquette (adab) emphasizes respect and proper behavior in all situations, including when using the washroom.

The Prophet ﷺ provided detailed guidance on how to conduct oneself in the washroom.

📜 Hadith: The Prophet’s ﷺ Etiquette in the Washroom

“When the Prophet ﷺ entered the toilet, he remained silent and did not speak.”
(Sunan Abi Dawood 15, Hasan)

📌 Lesson:

• The Prophet ﷺ avoided speaking in the washroom, indicating that it is a place of privacy and minimal conversation.
• Scholars derive from this that laughing, joking, or unnecessary speech in the washroom is makruh (disliked).

📜 Narrated by Jabir (RA):

“When the Prophet ﷺ went to relieve himself, he would go far away so that no one could hear him.”
(Sunan Abi Dawood 2, Hasan)

📌 Lesson:

• The Prophet ﷺ emphasized privacy and avoiding unnecessary conversation in the washroom.
• Laughing loudly contradicts this adab.

📜 Imam Al-Dasuqi (d. 1815) in Hashiyat al-Dasuqi:

“One should avoid excessive speech and laughing in the toilet, as it is a place of privacy and purification.”

📌 Lesson:

• Maliki scholars emphasize maintaining a serious demeanor in the washroom.

📜 Imam Al-Nawawi (d. 1277) in Al-Majmu‘:

“It is makruh to speak unnecessarily in the washroom, and this includes laughing.”

📌 Lesson:

• Shafi‘i scholars also consider laughing in the toilet as makruh (disliked).

📜 Imam Ibn Qudamah (d. 1223) in Al-Mughni:

“The washroom is not a place for idle talk or laughter, as the Prophet ﷺ remained silent when relieving himself.”

📌 Lesson:

• The Hanbali school follows the same principle of avoiding unnecessary noise in the washroom.