In parts of Assam (where I'm from) there is a custom among males of holding the private part with dried piece of clay, cloth or tissue paper for 2/3 minutes after peeing. I know many people who suggest to cross the legs, walk and do sit-ups so remaining urine gets dried out before using water, and it's considered as sunnah. However, it looks very rude and obscene to see people standing outside urinals inside masjid premises holding their private part in full public visibility, while women and children from various faiths crossing adjacent road.

My question is whether it is mandatory to use tissue paper etc. even when water is available. I'm a well traveled person living in Saudi Arabia for more than a decade, but nowhere I've seen such practices. Please guide.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

(Fatwa: 864/115/Tatimmah/SD=8/1439)

 

It is mandatory that one feels reassured that the drops have stopped after urination, it is called istibra (cleansing after discharging excreta). Usually, nowadays people have problem of urine drops after urination, so they use clay clad or tissue paper as they are not satisfied without it. Istibra is mandatory for those who have the problem of urine drops. But this practice is not good in front of people. One should use tissue paper or clay clad behind a wall or inside toilet, it is disliked to dry urination in front of people. Hakimul Ummah Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (may Allah have mercy upon him) writes: It is improper to dry urination in a place visible to passersby. (Imdad al-Fatawa: 1/141, Kitab al-Taharah, pub. Zakaria, Deoband, Uswa-e-Rasul-e-Akram, p. 223, with reference to Bahishti Gauhar)

Allah knows Best!

Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband