A respectful question about Muslim male hygiene ( serious)?

Question

Hi, I am genuine about this question so please do not get enraged, I'm genuinely interested and I think most other westerners will be, too.

Is it true- as I have recently been told- that all Muslim men sit down whilst urinating?...i.e., that the "standing up" posture is not as universal as we in the west would imagine?

And- if THAT's true, what is the background to this? I've heard it said that this is to do with a prophesy. Can anyone elaborate, please?

Once again I am not trying to offend, I am interested in cultural diversity hence the question.

The part about the PROPHESY is the really iREALLY nteresting part, that's why it is in the Religion and spirituality section. And I didn't see a "Urination" section so I had to put the question SOMEWHERE?

Answer 1

It is a hygiene question, applicable to both genders. In Muslim texts, personal hygiene is instructed in great detail. What is evacuated or urinated is not to stay touched with even a tiny part of any body organ. Hence, washing with water is necessary unless water be not available with ease. In standing posture, chances of urine drops bouncing back and touching a body part or part of a garment are greater than in sitting posture; hence a preference. It is not related to any prophesy... but to the Prophecy. The instructions on personal hygiene are traced back to the Prophetic practices.

Answer 2

Not related to any prophesy. It is about the hygiene; to distinguish between clean and pure. The Arabic word for 'pure' (Tahara) has no equivalent in English. 'Tahara' could be religious cleansing or purifying. Minute details on personal hygiene are a part of religious education. When we evacuate or urinate, the matter coming out must not remain on body, to the tiny part. So, after precautions on posture, washing is obligatory, unless water be not available, conveniently. Urinating in standing posture has chances that the splinters of the liquid may bounce back and touch a body part. Then that part has to be washed. In sitting posture, the chances are remote-nonexisting! There are similar advices on 'all' matters of hiegiene. At times, a bath becomes ordained and until then you can not pray, do not even touch the Holy Book. Advice covers the correct manner of nail-clipping, and the disposal of the clipped-nails, once your body part. Details of hygienic lessons are lengthy. It must be added, that it is not a male-hygiene question. It applies to both genders. Feminine hygiene has greater details.

Answer 3

Remember most toilets outside Europe comprise a hole at ground level over which one crouches or squats to defacate or urinate. It might be primitive but it is in fact more hygienic than a toilet seat where germs are always multiplying.

For a male to sit on a clean toilet seat to urinate is a natural progression from squatting over a hole. In a unclean toilet one can always crouch over the seat without touching it.

I am a much travelled Englishman and have for many years adopted this admirable habit of sitting or crouching as opposed to standing. As far as I am concerned, it is a matter of common sense as well as personal cleanliness.

I appreciate it is physically impossible for many Europeans to crouch or squat. They should at least cover the seat of any public loo with paper before sitting.

Answer 4

Good question, I don't think Muslims are offended by genuine questions (however personal and embarrassing they may seem).

It is just a matter of hygiene and it is best to do it sitting to make sure of hitting the "target". Do you watch these house make-over programs in the UK? I have not seen any one of them recommend using carpet in the bathroom because the inevitable splashing will make it stink (most men in UK pee standing up).

Answer 5

There are a couple of 'rules' concerning urination and such...

Allah's favorites are those who make constant efforts to remain pure and neat. The Holy Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has observed : " Purity and neatness are half of faith". In other words, Faith partly consists in cleansing one's soul and partly in keeping physically clean and pure. The purity and neatness of soul implies cleansing the soul of all impurities such as infidelity, Polytheism, sin and vice and embellishing it with righteous beliefs and pure morals. The purity and neatness of the body denotes keeping it clear of all external filth and adorning it with neatness and good manners.

Discharge urine on soft ground, so that its drops do not splash around. Always pass the urine in a sitting posture. However, if the ground or some real hardship prevents from sitting down, you may urinate in a standing posture. Otherwise, in normal circumstances, it is a very dirty habit and should be strictly avoided.

Do not discharge urine on the floor of the toilet, especially when it is made of soil.

When passing stools or urine, do not sit facing the direction of Qiblah, nor with your back to Qiblah. Having relieved yourself, use a clod or water to clean the private parts or purify yourself with water only. Do not use the dung, bone or charcoal for cleaning purposes. When the private parts have been cleaned, scrub your hands with soap or earth and wash them.

Answer 6

I doubt if this is true because If I am sitting down I have to get up and turn around to actually finish. Something about male pluming and kinks If you get my point.

Why did you put this question in the religion and spirituality section??

Love and blessings Don

Answer 7

CORRECTION! Muslims urinate SQUATTING NOT SITTING. The logic behind this is simple. when standing, the distance between you and the floor is more than when squatting. so, in a normal situation, you will expect the urine to bounce of the floor with greater force and possibly spill on your clothes. you would not fancy having some drops of urine on your clothes, or would you? in a situation where you are sure standing is better than squatting, you can do that.

Answer 8

I answered you via email :) IT IS TRUE!

Yes Most Muslim man sit so they do not splash their urine all over making it unclean for others, at least that is what I have been told by my husband (BORN MUSLIM), I know women do clean this way too. Also all male and female use water to wash themselves after their done and also toilet paper t dry and then wash hands to make sure you are not carrying filth in your hands. Muslim man at least in our family always carry a bottle of water with them so they can clean themselves properly and extra toilet paper... Is not offending You are just curious. For us CLEANliness is a must... we know what we know from the sunnah of the prophet (PBUH) even cleaning the teeth taking bath after relations etc :)

Answer 9

Probably, like the Jews, there are even rsligious restrictions on the way you urinate and defecate.

Every aspect of your life is controlled and managed as though you were living at least 1500 years ago.

Answer 10

you are able to ask your pal. i'm no longer Muslim yet some rules have stood me properly in vacationing.. i could make advantageous my clothing became sparkling and "up a knotch" .. so sidestep blue denims and sidestep t-shirts .. and probably sidestep tennis shoes. on the airplane i could positioned on a gloomy blue pastime coat. i could make advantageous my hair became decrease on the ear, no longer plenty shorter and not plenty longer. the assumption is to look intense high quality and first rate, yet no longer too intense high quality. this recommendation became additionally given to my brother-in regulation whilst he became interior the airforce vacationing some years in the past in the previous the conflict. stunning the greater advantageous admire I have been given by way of out maximum of Europe .. even in places i does no longer have theory it mattered. you have no longer pronounced while you're lady.. that may upload an entire nasty dimention which purely your pal can help you with. I additionally could sidestep any alcohol in public and beef. .. attempt to stick on the factor of the nutritional rules eventhough they do no longer prepare to you. (purely like no longer ingesting tea or coke in Utah)