Muslim traditions.?

Question

I have a soon to be relative who washes her hands with a watering can for plants over a toilet is there something symbolic with a pitcher or something?
Also how are dogs viewed in places like Iran and the muslim religion?

Answer 1

Are you sure she is only washing her hands or is she washing other parts as well? If she's washing other parts as well, Muslims wash their private parts with water after urinating and passing feces. Usually people use an empty plastic bottle to fill with water or a watering can as you've said or even a plastic bucket. Some Muslim bathrooms have watering like hoses next to the toilets fro convience. The other reason for the water can could be to purify herself before prayers. This is called wudu. A Muslim must clean the hands, mouth, nose, face, arms, ears and feet befor prayers. I/ve seen many people use water can or bottles or buckets to do this coz they don't want to be wasteful. Usually people in other countries (outside from the West) use cans to be moderate with water.
As for dogs, dogs are considered an animal which has due respect but is not to be taken as a pet. There are permissble resons to have a dog. They are for those who are blind and they would use it as a seeing dog. A dog can also be kept as a guard but should be kept outside. There are some Muslims who simply keep dogs as pets and for no other reson. Islamically, it is forbidden.

Answer 2

If you are traveling to a Muslim Country as a non-muslim - It would do you good to observe and respect a few customs and traditions: 1. Don't use your left hand - Muslims tend to wipe their ass with their left hand, the left hand is considered inferior and evil in their culture. Use your right hand at all times, like when handing over or collecting money from a merchant. Also avoid eating with your left hand. 2. Don't Eat or offer Pork - Eating pork is not Halal or acceptable for Muslims. They do not eat pork, so be careful not to offer it to them. 3. Pray 5 times per day - You will hear the Call to Prayer 5 times per day usually over Megaphones, with the first starting in the very early morning. In my opinion it is a beautiful melody when sung correctly. At times it can be lound and annoying, you should be careful not to express your annoyance at this sacred call. Non-muslims are not required to pray or anything, but you will find on a busy prayer day like Friday, many people will flock to the Mosque and there will be a lot of traffic on the streets at lunchtime. 4. Don't pat small children on the head - This is a fully degrading action if performed on a small child. Do avoid doing this. 5. Do cover your hair - If you go out in public and you are a woman, you will need to cover your hair. Covering your hair partially with a light scarf is fine, it does not have to be a fully tightened headdress. The Muslim people will respect that you are at least trying to adhere to their customs and they will appreciate it. 6. Don't show off your body - again for Women. It is not proper in Muslim culture to show off massive amounts of skin. Avoid short shorts and sleeveless tops and plunging necklines. 7. Dead must be buried within 24 hours - if anyone dies, their body must be buried within 24 hours or else their spirit will not reach heaven. You will notice that a Muslim funeral will be held very quickly and immediately the day after the death. 8. No sex before marrige There are probably more, but I cannot recall them all at this time. I hope that helps.

Answer 3

The watering can is for cleaning the private parts after intercourse and going to the bathroom. It helps Muslims keep their entire body clean and gets all the dirt and germs out of your body. Whereas if you just clean yourself with toilet paper it doesn't clean you all the way and you can't pray until you are 100% clean.
Dogs are ok in Islam. They stay outside not inside like dogs in the West. The Angels won't enter the home if a dog is inside. The dog is also a dirty animal and if we touch it then we have to clean our hands. It stays outside for protection or herding animals. Also we can't let dogs lick us because it might have licked itself and the dog's saliva carries a lot of germs that are harmful to humans.

Answer 4

I have never heard of muslims washing their hands over a toilet. More than likely she is using the jug/bottle to wash her private parts. This is simply being hygienic.
I have been to many muslim countries and have always found a sink with a tap to wash my hands and for wudu. Islam as a whole teaches hygiene and how to be clean.
Dogs can be used for specific reasons but not as pets.

Answer 5

Muslims rinse with water after urinating, as using plain toilet paper in considered insufficient for being clean. In the some homes there are vides, some have a like a jar that is designed specially so you do not drop the water and it will go where you need it to go. In USA however we do not have this special pitchers and the closest thing we could find to wash ourselves is a watering can for plants. Basically the shape of this can prevents spilling water on the floor. That's all. So, don't get freak out on this..she is just being a hyginic person. And I don't think she is using the can to wash her hands.

Dogs are considered unclean, we do not allow them inside the home.

Answer 6

Are you sure she is washing her hands with the pot... it is more likely she is using the water when cleaning after urinating, most homes where I live have a baday toilet for this purpose.. It is Sunnah to clean with water after using the toilet.

To the guy above, "In the Yard" we have toliet facilities here.....

I am not from Iran, and the majority of the population in Iran are Shiia.
Where I live dogs are not considered house pets. In Islam Prophet Mohammed(PBUH) has said that angels will not come into a home with dogs. Also, dogs should be used only for herding or security.

Answer 7

No there's nothing symbolic in using a watering can to wash your hands , it must just be a habit or something.

About the dogs, well their saliva is considered to be unclean and even if they are kept in the house they shouldn't be allowed in the praying area.However, just because one does not keep a dog inside the home that does not give one the right to neglect it, mistreat it, or kill it. The usefulness of this creature of God is indisputable. No other animal can compete with it in its loyalty to its caregiver, its abilities as a guard, and its talent of hunting.

Answer 8

No there are nothing with the pitcher... probably her choice of way to use water... maybe she doesn't want to waste any...

There are lots of dogs in Iran... lol... I've got a German Shepherd there! :D who has given birth to two cute puppies... :D

In Tehran (Iran) it has become some sort of a fashion with people carrying around their dogs n stuff...
http://www.iran-plus.com/en/photo/63
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/may2004/20040503_dog.jpg

Answer 9

[In Islam Prophet Mohammed(PBUH) has said that angels will not come into a home with dogs. Also, dogs should be used only for herding or security.]

So MANY rules, many of which don't make any sense to me at all!!! Angels won't go into a house with dogs? I feel sorry for you.

Answer 10

i spent a few years in iraq, theres no symbolism in the can, thats just how the wash, not used to sinks, seriously. And the fact that they are doing it over the toilet is actually surprising, figured it would be in the yard. Dogs are not the same as we view them as equals or friends, they are animals, dirty, unclean, dogs are used to herd and to guard. Just my experience as a soldier.