NOW We Know!
Dear readers, at long last we now know why Muslims seem to be so irritable all the time. For years I’ve wondered about this. Could it be due to the prohibition in Sharia (Islamic Law) against drinking alcohol? Could it be the very stringent nature of many other Sharia laws? Could it be that many Muslims reside year round in the searing heat of the Mid Eastern and African deserts? Well, it turns out that, while all of the above may play a role, I recently came upon the REAL reason.
In the Al-Hadith, Sahih Al-Bukhari, Book 4 (Book of Wudhu, or Ablution), we find the Prophet’s (Peace Be Unto Him, PBUH) teachings on hygiene. As attested by Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam [Abu Dawud no.35 and Ibn Majah no. 337]:
“If any of you goes to defecate, he should take with him three STONES.”
(emphasis mine). Yes, you read that right: STONES! Ouch!
And, by the way, if more stones are necessary, it’s important to:
“Use an odd number of stones,” as recommended by the Prophet (PBUH).
But, worse than that, it’s important for those planning to “answer the call of nature” (as it is referred to), to carry an “anaza.” [al-Bukhari no.152 & Muslim no.271.] What is an “anaza?” An “anaza” is a “spear headed stick!” Double Ouch!
So NOW we know!
References: Summarized Sahih Al-Bukhari, Translated by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan, published in 1994 by Darussalam, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It was cross referenced with fatwaislam.com
Oh boy. Hard to sit afterwards .