Ruling on facing or turning one’s back to the qiblah when relieving oneself

His final question says: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: The question here is that some toilets and bathrooms in houses and homes face the qiblah, so what is the ruling? And many thanks to His Eminence Shaykh Abdul Aziz ibn Baz, whom I hope will be a guest on this episode?
Answer: The authentic hadiths prohibiting facing the qiblah and turning one’s back to it when relieving oneself are numerous, and they indicate that facing the qiblah and turning one’s back to it when relieving oneself, whether by urination or defecation, is forbidden. This is clear and the truth in the desert, because the hadiths are explicit in this regard. Therefore, it is not permissible, and it is absolutely not allowed, to face the qiblah or turn one’s back to it in the desert when urinating or defecating. As for in buildings, the scholars differed more on this. Some said: It is permissible in a building; because it is established from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) that he relieved himself in the house of Hafsa facing the direction of Sham and turning his back to the Ka'bah, as narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim in the two Sahihs from the hadith of Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both). They said: This indicates that there is no harm in facing it or turning one’s back to it in a building, because a person is covered by the buildings. The original principle is that he does this in accordance with the legislation and follows him (peace and blessings be upon him) in his actions. So when he did that, it indicates its permissibility; because he relieved himself on two bricks facing the direction of Sham and turning his back to the Ka'bah. This indicates its permissibility in a building. Others said: This is perhaps specific to him; because he only did it in the house, it did not become well-known, and he did not do it in the desert. This indicates that it is specific to him, and that it is obligatory for Muslims not to face it and not to turn their backs to it, even in a building, acting in accordance with the general hadiths that contain generalization and no specification. This opinion is more apparent: that it is preferable not to face it and not to turn one’s back to it absolutely, in a building or in the desert. However, it being forbidden in a building is a matter of consideration; because the original principle is not to specify it for him (peace and blessings be upon him). But it is possible that this was before the prohibition, and it is possible that it was specific to him (peace and blessings be upon him). Therefore, the prohibition in it is not like the prohibition in the desert. So it is better for the believer not to face it in the desert or in a building, and not to turn his back to it. But in a building it is easier and more lenient, especially when it is not feasible to do so due to the existence of many toilets facing the qiblah. In that case, a person is excused for two reasons:
The first reason: The existence of toilets facing the qiblah, and it is difficult for him to deviate from them.
The second reason: What you know from the hadith of Ibn Umar regarding the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) facing the direction of Sham and turning his back to the Ka'bah when relieving himself in the house of Hafsa. This indicates permissibility, and the original principle is not to specify it for him (peace and blessings be upon him) alone, so the action is permissible. Although it is preferable to leave that in a building, and it is forbidden in the desert because there is nothing that specifies it. This is the closest view in this issue, and Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) knows best.
The presenter: You have done well