“… God loves those who turn to Him, and He loves those who cleanse themselves”. (Surah Al-Baqarah: 222)

Rules and guidelines in designing a space vary through religious beliefs. While the Buddhists have Feng Shui and the Hindus have Vastu Shastra to turn to, the Muslims have Al-Quran that highlights the aspect of purification and cleanliness (Rahmadhani and Hamid). The importance of purity and cleanliness found in the Islamic Quran has been long translated into bathroom designs. This research covers Islamic rules and their design responses outlining the aspects of privacy, orientation, ergonomics, and cleaning methods. 

Privacy

The global history of bathrooms has shown that the process of urination and defecation were not a matter of privacy. In Pakistan’s Indus Valley, where one of the earliest baths were found, male and female used the same area for purification ritual before they entered the holy space. The Greeks and Romans used public baths and toilets as social places. The issue of privacy connects to the aspect of purity that is highlighted in the Islamic Quran. The emergence of Islam brought a different perspective that raise the notion that some body parts shall be kept private, whether it is from an opposing or same gender, with married couples being an exception (Rahmadhani and Hamid). 

Orientation

The direction of Qibla, which faces the Kaaba in the Sacred Mosque in Mecca, is crucial to keep in mind in the Islamic culture. In Islamic countries, most reservational rooms (hotels, rentable villas, etc) or other public spaces with a prayer’s room are required to have some sort of signs that mark the direction of Qibla for the purpose of praying, for example an arrow sticker on the ceiling as seen on Figure 1. 

Figure 1. Arrow on ceiling showing direction of Qibla

 This is not an exception when designing and locating a toilet. As a process of “cleaning” and “purifying” oneself, the activities in the bathroom are considered unsanitary. Therefore, the best orientation of a toilet, in order to show respect, is to be against the direction of Qibla. In case of indisputable constraints, the location of the toilet should be diverted from the direction of Qibla to the most feasible extent. Similarly, when locating a toilet in a mosque, it should not be too close or located in front of the Mihrab, a niche representation of Qibla. (Rahim)

Figure 2. Sitting versus squatting position diagram

Ergonomics

The Muslims are taught that lingering too long in a bathroom is not a good practice, as it is seen as passing time away. From the ergonomic point of view, although the universal toilet design mainly supports sitting position, the squatting position has been proven to help with faster bowel movement as seen on Figure 2. 

Therefore, squat toilet designs are very common in countries with a majority of Muslims. Figure 3 shows a modern toilet design invention that responds to this with innovation combining the squatting and sitting position into one design. (Rahmadhani and Hamid)

Figure 3. Innovative toilet design combining squatting and sitting position

Cleansing methods

In the Islamic culture, the concept of cleanliness makes up a bathroom design that serves three different areas based on the activity; bath, ablution, and toilet area. The three activities use water as the main cleaning media for purification. The purest water source is believed to have originated from flowing water, and the best practice is to use it with a frugal manner. Soaking in a bathtub is not recommended as it is wasteful of water, and for the same reason as lingering too long in the toilet being wasteful of time. The popular traditional method is to use a water tub that collects water to be used with a water scoop for bathing and cleansing after urinating or defecating. Current days bathrooms use showers, faucets, and bidets. From the Islamic perspective, the left hand is typically considered “unclean” because it is used for ablution. The placement of water sources in the toilet area is also crucial. Toilet-bidets, shower-bidets, or water tubs with purpose of being used for the toilet area, should be located on the right side of the toilet, so that users can cleanse their private part using their left hand. (Rahmadhani and Hamid)

Design Response

Figure 4.1. Zoning diagram by level of privacy

Figure 4.2. Zoning diagram by activity area

Based on the Islamic rules and guidelines for cleanliness and purification, Rahmadhani and Hamid concluded a conceptual layout for the three activities zoning based on their level of privacy as shown in Figure 4.1 and Figure 4.2. From the concept layout, Rahmadhani and Hamid brought forward a couple of design options concerning different bathroom sizes and privacy levels (see Figures 5). 

Figure 5.1 Small bathroom with shower

Figure 5.2 Medium bathroom with shower

Figure 5.2 Medium bathroom with water tub

Figure 5.2 Large bathroom with water tub

Bibliography

Rahmadhani, Novi, and M Irfan M P Hamid. “Islamic Bathroom: A Recommendation of Bathroom Layout Design with Islamic Values”. International Journal of Architecture and Urbanism Vol. 2, No. 3, 2018 pp. 241-252. Talenta Publisher.

Rahim, Asiah Abdul. “A Concept of Clean Toilet from the Islamic Perspective”. Journal of Islamic Built Environment Vol. 1, No.1. 2005 p 71-84. KAED IIUM.

Image Source

Figure 1. khsblog.net

Figure 2. top10homeremedies.com 

Figure 3. WTO International Toilet Design Award, 1st prize

Figure 4. Rahmadhani and Hamid

Figure 5. Rahmadhani and Hamid