Weird ideas about religion

[Nobody]

A close friend of mine told me that adherents of Islam are forbidden by their religion to use toilet paper. This obviously sounds disgusting.

I am unsure whether this is a racist rumour or actually has any truth, has anyone on this board heard of such a concept ?

[ChristineR]

There is a tradition in Islam called hadith which basically is a list of everything Mohammed is known to have done. Whatever Mohammed did, you should do. This is why some Muslim men wear beards, and it also includes such mundane items as brushing your teeth. There are also some rules about washing and going to the toilet. I couldn't find anything forbidding the use of toilet paper.

[Abdul Alhazred]

It tells how to wash the nether parts sanitarily and does not mention toilet paper.

This is not the same as toilet paper being forbidden.

[Hutch]

It tells how to wash the nether parts sanitarily and does not mention toilet paper.

This is not the same as toilet paper being forbidden.

Having lived in the United Arab Emirates for 4 years, I can report that most homes and many private places had Bidets of some sort to clean's one nether regions. Even roadside rests (you really have to need to go badly to use them) have a small hose you can use to wash yourself out.

At a couple of stops in Egypt I noted the same thing--hotels have bidets and a couple of other toilets in buldings had hoses.

I believe that there is something about the hands (especially the one you eat with) coming in contact with the anal regions, but I do not know what part of the Koran/Sura it comes from.

However, toilet paper is available in the supermarkets there for us infidels...

[Dogdoctor]

I have read what was purported to be the Koran and it has specific instructions that you should not use the hand that you use to read the Koran to wipe your butt (some comment about using your other hand to hold the bone to wipe your butt with). It has been a long time since I read Islamic sciptures so forgive me if I got it wrong.

[The_Fire]

Yup. Thats correct Dogdoc. Dad worked at a construction site in Iraq shortly before the iran/iraq war (early 80's if I remember correctly) and the left hand were used to do "dirty" jobs while the right were used to other stuff like reading the Koran and eating.

[Gravy]

Yup. Thats correct Dogdoc. Dad worked at a construction site in Iraq shortly before the iran/iraq war (early 80's if I remember correctly) and the left hand were used to do "dirty" jobs while the right were used to other stuff like reading the Koran and eating.

It's the same in India.

[LotusMegami]

They are very concerned about physical cleanliness, especially before prayer.
Even those who can't afford bidets probably wash often enough not to be unsanitary.

After all, having clean hands and feet would be kinda silly if your ass was dirty.

[BenK]

"Have you actually read this thing? Technically we aren't even allowed to go to the bathroom." Rev. Lovejoy

[arthwollipot]

Here's some stuff I just Googled up:

http://www.restrooms.org/page03ar.html
http://www.urbanhonking.com/ultimateblogger/den/archives/2005/05/the_medya.html
http://www.therockalltimes.co.uk/2002/01/14/toilet-seat.html

[This Guy]

Yup. Thats correct Dogdoc. Dad worked at a construction site in Iraq shortly before the iran/iraq war (early 80's if I remember correctly) and the left hand were used to do "dirty" jobs while the right were used to other stuff like reading the Koran and eating.

I understand that waving the left hand at someone (as we might do as a greeting, or to say hello) is also considered an insult, much like the middle finger would be viewed in the USA.

May not be true, but some years ago I was told that in a lesson on things that weren't good to do overseas.

[Beerina]

I have read what was purported to be the Koran and it has specific instructions that you should not use the hand that you use to read the Koran to wipe your butt (some comment about using your other hand to hold the bone to wipe your butt with). It has been a long time since I read Islamic sciptures so forgive me if I got it wrong.

Presumably the infinitely powerful god gets upset when minute amounts of biological effluvia emitting long-chain hydrocarbon aromatics touch cellulose-based pressed and rolled product upon which other chemical compounts sit arranged in certain patterns that humans interpret as Important Phrases coming from said god.

Strange entity, this god.


"It sounds stupid when you say it." -- Dilbert, to Dogbert

[LordoftheLeftHand]

My grandfather spent some time in Iran during the 50’s. One of the few stories I remember was about how he had to carry toilet paper with him, but that was 40 years ago.

LLH

[ceo_esq]

My grandfather spent some time in Iran during the 50’s. One of the few stories I remember was about how he had to carry toilet paper with him, but that was 40 years ago.

LLH

Well, you can't compare Iran today to 40 years ago - that was before the Revolution. Today is more like, I dunno, 80 years ago.