Ok, this is a serious question, so please no stupid answers. On our way home earlier today we were all having a conversation about religion (don’t even remember why now) It got on to the subject of each different religions, and how we treat the dead body, so we said that we bury, the Sikhs cremate etc, then we said that Muslims usually bury within 24 hours of death (if poss.) and that they are buried on their side facing Mecca? we then went on to explain about the prophets etc (our children are very inquisitive) after a few moments our 6 yr old pipes up that "if everyone is buried on their side facing Mecca, surely they will just be facing the person buried in front of him/her?" We had to admit for a 6 yr old she speaks from a logical point. Do you think she is correct? Has she just upset the whole religious aspect in asking this question?
This is a serious question so please no silly answers, please don't insult my daughter’s inquisitive nature.
2007-09-01 08:45:05 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Kinn2him - tell me about the headscratching - we have a 16 yr old that kills us for knowledge and our 10 yr old is smarter than the average bear!
2007-09-01 08:59:44 · update #1
no more than they are facing the person in front of them when they offer their prayers each day.
use the comparison of a group of people pledging allegience to the flag... there are people between us and the flag, but ultimately, we are facing the flag...
2007-09-01 08:54:25 · answer #1 · answered by kinn2him 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, that assumes all the people are buried in rows, one afteer the other, which is not always true.
Sometimes, perhaps, but not always and it really has nothing to do with upsetting religious. So long as you are facing Mecca, it doesn't matter who's in front of you. Jews also bury quickly; it could be because these religions were from the desert.
2007-09-01 08:51:58 · answer #2 · answered by merrybodner 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If all people face mecca while praying in a room, some will be facing the backs of others. It's not simply a question for death and it seems to be okay that when one person 'face mecca' they actually see the back (or, let's face it, feet and buttock) of another follower.
2007-09-01 08:58:50 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Facing mecca is a direction, such as facing west or facing east. It does not matter what is in that direction between you and the object you wish to face. As long as you are facing in that direction you are facing it. Of course if you are in North America the whole Atlantic ocean and the continent of Africa is between you and mecca. The important thing is not what lies between you and the object, it is that you face in that direction.
2007-09-01 09:17:27 · answer #4 · answered by Jaman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The globle is a sphere and all directions intersect Mecca.
2007-09-01 09:55:28 · answer #5 · answered by Isolde 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think your daughter is one smart cookie.
2007-09-01 08:53:58 · answer #6 · answered by ? 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋