Question Summary:
Is it permissible to build a toilet which faces the Qiblah? If i dont know how long I will be staying in an area, whilst travelling do I perform qasr?

Question Detail:

salamun alaikum Imam, my first question is, I'm an architect and want to if it's forbidden to design a toilet facing the QIBLA. second question ; how many does KASR prayer last for someone who travels out for work and did not know when to come back home? salam!

Answer :

 
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
 
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
 
1.      As an architect it will not be permissible for you to build a toilet which faces the Qiblah. [1] The Qiblah of those who are not in front of or who cannot see the Ka’bah is the straight line that leads to the Ka’bah and also 45° on either side of this line.[2] The complete direction of 90° should be avoided whilst relieving one’s self. If one realizes that he is relieving himself whilst facing this direction then he should turn away from this direction to the best of his ability.[3]
 
If one has a toilet which faces the Qiblah it would be necessary to rebuild it so that it does not face the Qiblah. The money spent in rebuilding the toilet would not be considered as wasting wealth.[4]
 
 
2.      When an individual leaves his home with the intention of travelling the distance of Safr then he will be considered a Musaafir. He will remain a Musaafir until he either returns home or decides to settle in an area for the period of 15 days or more.[5] Until one of the above does not happen he will be considered a Musaafir and he will continuously make Qasr in Salaat.
 
 
 
 
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mawlana Ali bin Cassim
Student Darul Iftaa
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
 
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net