Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

Secrets of the Muslim bathroom

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by Mathloom, Jul 12, 2012.

Tags:

Page 1 of 2

Mathloom Shameless Optimist

Joined:

Oct 4, 2008

Messages:

21,087

Likes Received:

22,534

In America, Muslims must think like Jason Bourne, practicing our rituals with clandestine skill to avoid awkward confrontations. For instance, it’s not easy to find creative space to pray while providing logical explanations to those who find you in mid-prostration. “I’m doing Arabic tai chi,” you might say when someone sees you crouched in a stall at the Gap. “It’s an … Eastern thing.”

Or, what if you get caught doing the pre-prayer ablution, wudu, that requires Muslims to wash their hands and feet five times a day? “Uh, my foot is in the office restroom sink because I couldn’t pay my water bill,” you might say. “Rough economy, you know?”

Added to this list is the “lota,” which is used in Muslim communities, including most South Asian populations, to aid in cleansing rituals. The lota is a magical chalice for our peoples – it’s a traditional hand-held vessel that contains water to assist in our bathroom “activities.” Using a baseball lineup analogy, toilet paper and moist wipes are a “leadoff” hitter, but the lota functions as the “clean-up hitter,” the player with the power to bring all the players to home plate.

But the lota can be confusing to Americans. Not long ago, an American Muslim family was detained at the airport and interviewed by the FBI. They had aroused suspicion by “lingering” near the airplane bathroom and asking for a “cup” to perform a “religious custom dictating cleanliness.”

I can certainly sympathize. I have confused many co-workers with my creeping “stealth lota jihad.” At my former law job, I once used a venti Starbucks cup as a temporary, emergency lota. I thoroughly washed the caramel frap residue and filled it to the brim with tap water.

“Hey Waj,” I heard just as I was about to enter the stall and liberate myself. It was my boss. “Whatcha’ got there?”

“Oh, this? Just, uh, was thirsty,” I replied. We stared at each other for several, uncomfortable seconds. “Yup – thirsty.”

[More at Link]
Click to expand...

http://www.salon.com/2012/07/10/secrets_of_the_muslim_bathroom/

#1 Mathloom, Jul 12, 2012

aussiejack Member

Joined:

Nov 7, 2006

Messages:

875

Likes Received:

30

Mathloom said: ↑

http://www.salon.com/2012/07/10/secrets_of_the_muslim_bathroom/
Click to expand...

I've heard you should never shake the left hand of an Asian because they use their left hand to wipe instead of paper.

Fact or Myth?!

#2 aussiejack, Jul 12, 2012
Mathloom Shameless Optimist

Joined:

Oct 4, 2008

Messages:

21,087

Likes Received:

22,534

lol no it has nothing to do with being Asian.

Who's left hand do you ever shake??

#3 Mathloom, Jul 12, 2012
RedRedemption Member

Joined:

Jul 21, 2009

Messages:

32,542

Likes Received:

7,752

aussiejack said: ↑

I've heard you should never shake the left hand of an Asian because they use their left hand to wipe instead of paper.

Fact or Myth?!
Click to expand...

FACT.

#4 RedRedemption, Jul 12, 2012
Stack24 Member

Joined:

Jul 15, 2003

Messages:

11,766

Likes Received:

1,737

Yup most middle eastern countries will use some sort of thing to wash your butt. Sort of like a hand held bidet.

Back in the day most would just use like a small plant watering pitcher or something to that effect. Right now most home will either have the bidet or a hose near the toilet that you reach over turn on and wash your behind.

#5 Stack24, Jul 12, 2012
EssTooKayTD Member

Joined:

Dec 15, 2005

Messages:

3,343

Likes Received:

74

I really should know better than to read threads on CF during lunchtime...

#6 EssTooKayTD, Jul 12, 2012
xcrunner51 Member

Joined:

Jun 19, 2002

Messages:

5,533

Likes Received:

2,491

Huh, never heard of that. Thanks.

I await the religion that will adopt the three seashells as a hygiene tool.

#7 xcrunner51, Jul 12, 2012
Last edited: Jul 12, 2012

droopy421 Member

Joined:

Jun 24, 2010

Messages:

2,280

Likes Received:

184

Mathloom said: ↑

http://www.salon.com/2012/07/10/secrets_of_the_muslim_bathroom/
Click to expand...

#8 droopy421, Jul 12, 2012
bigtexxx Member

Joined:

Jun 12, 2002

Messages:

26,977

Likes Received:

2,360

I arranged for a special conference room for a Muslim who worked for me a while back. He needed to go in there and pray several times a day. Worked out fine....better than the bathroom

#9 bigtexxx, Jul 12, 2012
hooroo Member

Joined:

Oct 16, 2003

Messages:

19,298

Likes Received:

1,917

aussiejack said: ↑

I've heard you should never shake the left hand of an Asian because they use their left hand to wipe instead of paper.

Fact or Myth?!
Click to expand...

Were you speaking to a Brit? To them asians means Indians/Pakistani.

#10 hooroo, Jul 12, 2012
VooDooPope Love > Hate

Joined:

Oct 11, 1999

Messages:

9,244

Likes Received:

4,750

My god says you fold the paper, don't bunch it, wipe till clean. An ass spritzer is optional.

#11 VooDooPope, Jul 12, 2012
AMS Member

Joined:

Oct 8, 2003

Messages:

9,646

Likes Received:

218

Common South Asian thing as well.

In Muslim countries they have bidets and hand held sprays. You get them at Home Depot and can install them pretty quickly.

http://reviews.homedepot.com/1999/100552012/attachable-handheld-shower-bidet-reviews/reviews.htm

Toilet Paper first --> Supplement with Water.

No Skin to Feces contact. That's nasty.

#12 AMS, Jul 12, 2012
amaru Member

Joined:

Jun 25, 2009

Messages:

17,293

Likes Received:

10,639

I didn't know bathrooms had religions.......interesting development.

#13 amaru, Jul 12, 2012

AMS Member

Joined:

Oct 8, 2003

Messages:

9,646

Likes Received:

218

bigtexxx said: ↑

I arranged for a special conference room for a Muslim who worked for me a while back. He needed to go in there and pray several times a day. Worked out fine....better than the bathroom
Click to expand...

They don't pray in the bathroom, they just wash up in the bathroom prior to praying.

#14 AMS, Jul 12, 2012
Rashmon Member

Joined:

Jun 2, 2000

Messages:

21,222

Likes Received:

18,229

Interesting. Is there not some acceptable modern shortcuts? Like maybe using handiwipes or hand sanitizer for the pre-prayer cleansing?

#15 Rashmon, Jul 12, 2012
Rasputin12 Member

Joined:

Jul 5, 2012

Messages:

272

Likes Received:

12

#16 Rasputin12, Jul 12, 2012
Bandwagoner Member

Joined:

Jan 26, 2006

Messages:

27,105

Likes Received:

3,757

washing feet in the sink is disgusting.

#17 Bandwagoner, Jul 12, 2012
Nice Rollin Member

Joined:

Mar 30, 2006

Messages:

11,858

Likes Received:

321

bigtexxx said: ↑

I arranged for a special conference room for a Muslim who worked for me a while back. He needed to go in there and pray several times a day. Worked out fine....better than the bathroom
Click to expand...

cleverly disguised "i dont hate muslims and i dont think they're all terrorists" post

#18 Nice Rollin, Jul 12, 2012

IzakDavid13 Member

Joined:

Jan 2, 2011

Messages:

9,958

Likes Received:

801

amaru said: ↑

I didn't know bathrooms had religions.......interesting development.
Click to expand...

Bathroom etiquette.

1. When going to the toilet, do not touch the private parts with the right hand. (Muslim)
2. Do not cleanse the private parts with the right hand. (Muslim)
3. After relieving oneself, use three stones or three clods of clay. (Muslim)
4. When using the toilet, do not face or sit with the back towards the Qibla. (Bukhari)
5. When intending to urinate, find a suitable place of privacy. (Abu Dawood)
6. Do not urinate in stagnant water (water that does not flow). (Bukhari)
7. Do not urinate in a bathroom, as many a time due to this, evil temptations are aroused.(Tirmidhi)
8. Do not stand and urinate. (Tirmidhi)
9. Do not convers (with another person) whilst relieving oneself. (Musnad Ahmad)
10. Do not relieve oneself at riverbanks, roads and shady places where people walk or rest. (Abu Dawood)
11. Recite BISMILLAH before entering the toilet, as this will serve as a veil between the jinn(demons) and the private parts of humans. (Tirmidhi)
12. Do not perform istinja with bones or dung. (Tirmidhi)

#19 IzakDavid13, Jul 12, 2012
aussiejack Member

Joined:

Nov 7, 2006

Messages:

875

Likes Received:

30

Mathloom said: ↑

lol no it has nothing to do with being Asian.

Who's left hand do you ever shake??
Click to expand...

Left handed asians?

#20 aussiejack, Jul 12, 2012

(You must log in or sign up to post here.)

Page 1 of 2

Share This Page