What is the ruling of placing animals like birds in bathrooms? I fear being naked before them because I think birds see and understand. Many thanks to you.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

It is stated in the encyclopedia of Fiqh, Volume 3, that [Religion has obligated covering the private parts before created beings of humans but not others …]. This indicates that covering one’s private parts from animals in bathrooms or in an open space is not obligatory. Accordingly, the one who takes a bath or answers the call of nature naked before an animal (i.e. a bird or the like) is not held sinful.

Imaam Maalik was asked about someone who takes a bath in an open space naked. He said: “There is no harm in this. However, it is disliked for him to be completely naked without a need for this, not because of animals but rather, due to shyness from Allaah The Almighty for the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said to Mu‘aawiyah ibn Haydah : “Guard your ‘Awrah except from your wives and those whom your right hand possesses.” Mu‘aawiyah then asked, “O Messenger of Allaah, what if one of us is alone?” He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said, “Allaah is more deserving that you should feel shy before Him than people." [Abu Daawood, Ibn Maajah and Ahmad] [At-Tirmithi: Hasan] and Bukhari narrated it as Mu‘allaq Hadeeth (a Hadeeth whose Isnaad is completely or partially omitted)