Is it a function of respect for their deity or is it because they believe they're entering sacred ground? Or is it something else? How did this custom start?
2007-01-13 04:06:02 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
This is an excellent question!
One of the requirements for prayer is that a Muslim pray in a clean place, free of impurities that may invalidate a prayer. These impurities are also why Muslims make ablution (wudu: a cleanisng ritual before prayer). We take our shoes off at the door of the mosque as well as at the door of our homes to keep from tracking the impurities in to our prayer spots.
In reference to places for prayer, this can include anywhere that does not have feces, urine, blood, etc. We can pray on any field, as long as we avoid dog poo and such. We can pray in any room except a bathroom. Usually for unfamiliar places, and even in our own homes, we use a prayer rug. This way we are sure that the surface we pray on is clean.
2007-01-13 04:11:54 · answer #1 · answered by hayaa_bi_taqwa 6 · 7⤊ 1⤋
We usually associate removing shoes before entering the home as a Japanese custom. Actually, the practice is found throughout Asia and is also common in Scandinavian countries and in Hawaii and Alaska.
The custom has both practical and spiritual applications. It's obvious, of course, that leaving shoes at the door keeps dirt and mud from being tracked into the house and saves wear and tear on carpets and hardwood floors. Culturally, it's also a way of showing respect by keeping the house clean and maintaining quiet as well.
Yet, perhaps even more important than the issue of cleanliness is the mindful ritual of removing ones' shoes before entering a home. It is symbolic of leaving the world outside. In removing your shoes, your body lets your mind and spirit know that you are transitioning from work and other concerns to the sanctuary of your home.
Most people accustomed to removing their shoes enjoy the freedom and comfort of being barefoot. While they may wear socks or slippers in the house, they are still able to wiggle their toes and feel their feet on the floor. Going shoeless also allows the feet to breathe and may be beneficial to some people with foot ailments.
Personally, I love being barefoot. Medically, the bottom of the feet also hold the keys to many cures of short term aailments. Specifically, there are pressure points on your foot that can help cure headaches, backaches, toothaches, and also can provide sensual pleasure.
2007-01-13 12:13:13 · answer #2 · answered by THE SINGER 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Brother shoes is an unclean thing, when u gout side there are lot of discussion things on the road and something we may touched that one unknowingly because we always never see wht is on the road.. then this shoes become unclean. If we take that shoes to a holy place like mosque then wht the think can fall on that holy mosque to avoide we are doing this but it is not compulsory
2007-01-13 12:32:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well it is funny because I was just wondering about this the other day and i beleive Icame up with a suffice answer . Firstly I beleive it is to show respect like taking off a baseball hat or standing when soemone enters a room. Like that. ASecondly I beleive it is for cleanliness because you are supposed tyo pray in a clean area and your shoes are normally very dirty.
2007-01-13 12:22:29 · answer #4 · answered by Amira M 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's a sign of respect, like removing your hat in a church - shoes are viewed as unclean in the Middle East, that's why the Iraqis hit the statues of Sadam Hussein with their shoes, it's a grave insult.
2007-01-13 12:09:11 · answer #5 · answered by Mordent 7 · 7⤊ 0⤋
It's respect to their diety, and I would say that any church/mosque type building has a certain amount of sacred value, atleast to the people of that religion.
2007-01-13 12:11:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
a mosque is a place were you go and pray for god . when you enter u have to do abolitionism and taking of the shoe is because the place for praying must be clean and the shoes we walk with them in the street and that contains nasty stuff and unclean stuf . one rules for entering the mousque u have to be clean
2007-01-13 12:14:55 · answer #7 · answered by what ever ? 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It is like Moses removing his sandles when standing before the burning bush. The ground is thought to be holy where God is at.
2007-01-13 12:10:34 · answer #8 · answered by Lady Di-USA 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Apparently they presently feel it is holy ground.
(Exodus 3:5, Joshua 5:15)
2007-01-13 13:26:06 · answer #9 · answered by jefferyspringer57@sbcglobal.net 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is out of respect and for cleanliness. It is the same way in Hinduism and Sikhism also.
2007-01-13 12:20:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋