Is OBL actually left-handed?

It's environmental re-inforced. The Arabs didn't always have access to a lot of water, so, to avoid having to smell it, they would have avoided getting anything unpleasant on the hand they ate with. So one hand has to be for clean things and the other for unclean. A Kurdsh friend goes to great lengths to touch his dog and its leash only with his left hand.
 
A W Smith said:
five times a day?
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Yup. Islam is as much a lifestyle as a religion. It's a bit hard to grasp from the background of Judeo-Christian traditions (though Judaism does have a bit more of the lifestyle taboos such as kosher food.) IIRC, the left-hand taboo is a pre-Islamic tradition (like many others) that was adopted by Islam in the 7th century A.D.. (That's off the top-o'-my-head, so caveat emptor.)
 
A W Smith said:
How do they enforce that? They don't actually watch what hand butts are wiped with do they?
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I assume parents just teach their children at a very young age, together with toilet training. And yes, parents do tend to follow children into the restroom and make sure their children do what they have to do in the proper way, even in the West.

Taught at a young enough age, wiping your butt with the left hand will come natural, and doing it with the right will be as unthinkable as prefering to pee in your pants instead of in the bowl.
 
How to Perform Wudu

There are two forms of ablution: the partial ablution (wudu) and the complete ablution (ghusl). In addition, there is a symbolic ablution (tayammum), to be used when no water is available or a person cannot use water because of reasons of health. One should be in a state of purity before performing prayer or reading the Qur'an. The following actions or conditions nullify this state of purity and require the partial ablution:

discharges from the body (urine, stools, gas)
the flow of blood or pus from the body
vomiting
falling asleep
becoming intoxicated


The following actions or conditions require the full ablution:

sexual intercourse
wet dreams
the expiration of a women's menstrual period
after childbirth
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The sand part comes from the Tayammum - or symbolic purification:

1. Declare the intention that this act is for the purpose of worship and purity.

2. Touch earth, sand, or stone lightly with both hands and then wipe the face with them once as done in the partial ablution.

Touch earth, sand, or stone lightly with both hands and then wipe the right arm to the elbow with the left hand and the left arm with the right hand.
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Seems like that procedure has a bit of a cross-contamination issue.
 
I too have found that falling asleep interferes with reading the Qur'an. However, I've never prayed harder than when vomiting.
 
How take a dump without offending Allah

# Say before entering the toilet: In the name of Allah, O Allah! I seek refuge with You from all offensive and wicked things (Al-Bukhaaree)
# One should enter the toilet with the left foot and leave with the right foot.
# It is not permissible to enter the toilet whilst carrying or wearing anything bearing the name of Allah, such as the Quran, or any book with the name of Allah in it, or jewelry such as bracelets or necklaces engraved with the name of Allah.
# One should remain silent whilst on the toilet. Talking, answering greetings or greeting others is forbidden.[2]
# One should not face nor turn your back on Al-Qiblah whilst relieving yourself.[3]
# One should be out of sight of people when going to the toilet
# It is considered forbidden to relieve oneself whilst standing up, lying down or if you are completely nude.[citation needed]
# One should avoid going to the toilet anywhere where people may take rest or gather for any purpose.
# Do not raise clothes until you get close to the ground and do not uncover the body any more than is needed.
# One should sit on the feet (e.g. squat) keeping thighs wide apart with the stress on the left foot.
# Do not look to the private parts of the body nor the waste matter passed from the body.
# Do not sit more than needed.
# Do not spit, blow nose, look hither and thither, touch the body unnecessarily nor look towards the sky but relieve oneself with the eyes downcast in modesty. [citation needed]
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I practice 3 outta 12. Actually 2 out of 12 since I sometime read message boards in the privy and I'm guessing I read the name of Allah at least once.
 
No god will keep me from looking hither, and especially, thither.
 
As a side note, a Lebanese friend explained that the short prayer before entering the latrine is a charm agaisnt djinn who may be waiting to attack your private parts. It is sometimes shortened to "BismAllah!" "In the name of God." No djinn with evil intent will linger in a place over which the name of God is spoken.
 
leftysergeant said:
As a side note, a Lebanese friend explained that the short prayer before entering the latrine is a charm agaisnt djinn who may be waiting to attack your private parts.
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Cultural differences are fascinating. I know a place in the East Village where people pay djinn good money to do exactly that.
 
leftysergeant said:
As a side note, a Lebanese friend explained that the short prayer before entering the latrine is a charm agaisnt djinn who may be waiting to attack your private parts.
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I think they began saying that prayer after Larry Craig's last "fact finding" mission to Lebanon.
 
Tradition has it that the djinn have different religions as have men, and that some of them are muslim and Christian and Jewish, while some are not. A Muslim has nothing to fear from a Muslim djinn, so, yes, Craig could be a little more intimidating than a Muslim djinn.
 
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