The bathroom is one of the few places where Allah's name is not mentioned aloud — it is a place of impurity. So before stepping in, the Prophet ﷺ taught us to seek Allah's protection first, because shaytan and harmful beings are drawn to such places.
The dua before entering the bathroom
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْخُبْثِ وَالْخَبَائِثِ
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika minal-khubthi wal-khaba'ith.
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the male and female evil beings.
(Sahih al-Bukhari 142, Sahih Muslim 375 — narrated by Anas ibn Malik (RA))
What the dua means
The words al-khubth and al-khaba'ith refer to the male and female devils respectively — the harmful unseen beings that scholars say are attracted to places of impurity. By saying this short dua at the threshold, the believer asks Allah to surround them with protection in a place where the angels do not freely accompany them.
The story behind the dua
Anas ibn Malik (RA), the young companion who served the Prophet ﷺ for ten years, reported: 'When the Prophet ﷺ entered the toilet, he would say: O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the male and female evil beings.' This is one of the earliest practical adabs (manners) any Muslim is taught.
Sunnahs of entering the bathroom
- Step in with the left foot first.
- Recite the dua before crossing the threshold.
- Avoid speaking inside, especially the names of Allah.
- Do not face or turn your back to the qiblah while relieving yourself.
- Leave with the right foot first and recite the dua of leaving (Ghufranak).
Hadith reference
Reported by Anas ibn Malik (RA) in Sahih al-Bukhari (142) and Sahih Muslim (375). Because both Bukhari and Muslim include it, it is among the highest grades of authenticity in hadith literature.