MENA Old Wives tales

[amal 4]

Mine says he knows about Jinn but doesn't believe they control our lives. I asked him about them way back when I first heard them mentioned in VJ. He said it's very similar to the "don't walk under a ladder" kind of superstitions and he said that many Jordanians don't believe in them. I dunno if this is just what he thinks or if it's the truth or not.

If they are Muslims they believe in Jinn. There is an entire Surah (Chapter) of the Quran #72 called "The Jinn". I don't think people are believing in general that Jinn control our lives... just that Jinn have power and can create some havoc in people's lives.

Belief in Jinn comes from belief in Quran, a requirement if your Muslim, definately not if you're not...

I didnt say he didn't believe in them at all. i said he doesn't believe that they control our lives. He doesn't believe the superstitions about warm water in the drain at night and stuff like that. He said that differs from family to family though.

[nunyab 0]

well Amal sounds like your hubby is doing well mashallah....... i wanna be the squirrel on the bottom

[doodlebugg 10]

We used to have TONS of stale pita bread in the fridge because he said it was haram to throw bread away but finally I made him see the light that not eating them is the same as throwing them away so now I am happy to say I can toss them if they're over a week old. That was a major achievement I have to admit!!!

Also no talking in the bathroom. That one is annoying especially to the kids. we have this unwritten rule in our one bathroom house that if you have to do poopy you ask everyone else in the house if they have to go first. Well not asking AND not talking while you're in there was a tough one for them so now we've got that one under control too. Not sure exactly if that's a cultural old wives tale or not but it was aggravating. I mean he won't hold a debate on the whole global warming thing while he's in there but at least he'll say "ok I'll be out soon".

[ErikaAndHamit 73]

This Jinn thing and how they are perceived as all powerful is annoying...I don't even want to get into the whole "cause of illness" superstitions, especially being in the medical field KNOWING that most of these superstitions are bogus, yet having your fiance believe like it was a proven science is frustrating......lol

Back to the Jinns... I told my Fiance that Allah is more powerful and that this Jinn BS wouldn't be a problem if close to Allah...I mean seriously...since when did satan become God? lol...geez

[KHPerfectMatch 1]

We used to have TONS of stale pita bread in the fridge because he said it was haram to throw bread away but finally I made him see the light that not eating them is the same as throwing them away so now I am happy to say I can toss them if they're over a week old. That was a major achievement I have to admit!!!

Also no talking in the bathroom. That one is annoying especially to the kids. we have this unwritten rule in our one bathroom house that if you have to do poopy you ask everyone else in the house if they have to go first. Well not asking AND not talking while you're in there was a tough one for them so now we've got that one under control too. Not sure exactly if that's a cultural old wives tale or not but it was aggravating. I mean he won't hold a debate on the whole global warming thing while he's in there but at least he'll say "ok I'll be out soon".

We solved the bread problem by breaking it up and putting it in the bird feeder... made him feel really great! Solved a problem fed the birds....

So far no mention of the talking in the bathroom rule, and believe me I'm not going to bring it up! Just have to keep that seat down! I can live with that! tehehehehe

[KHPerfectMatch 1]

This Jinn thing and how they are perceived as all powerful is annoying...I don't even want to get into the whole "cause of illness" superstitions, especially being in the medical field KNOWING that most of these superstitions are bogus, yet having your fiance believe like it was a proven science is frustrating......lol

Back to the Jinns... I told my Fiance that Allah is more powerful and that this Jinn BS wouldn't be a problem if close to Allah...I mean seriously...since when did satan become God? lol...geez

I haven't met anyone who believes they are all powerful, nor that they are all evil. And they aren't the same as angels...so no comparisons to satan at all. But I do know that my ex firmly believed we were totally safe from any evil Jinn because he either listened to Quran on CD or recited it nearly 100% of waking hours... (He was studying to become Hafiz)

However I too go insane over what seems to be an entire culture that appears to be 95% unaware about health, wellness, or even simple first aid. Diabetics that won't eat sugar, but put gobs of honey in their tea... and eat it by spoonfuls because it's "good" for you... the list seems endless...

All my relatives want to diet and don't know how to tell what foods are mainly protein, carbs, or fat... Antibiotics are served like chicken soup for every ailment (except for septicemia which actually NEEDS MAJOR antibiotics, and then the doctor only prescribed a topical "fusicort" cream until I screamed to the top of my lungs for another doctor to come for a 2nd opinion!)

I do admit that I was wrong when I told my husband that honey wasn't safe for use as a topic treatment for wounds because I remembered it had a bacteria in it... I went back and checked and the bacteria is only dangerous for infants... and in fact there is a lot of info indicating that it is a great treatment for wounds as it creates a sort of peroxide that is cleansing and healing...

And he will never believe that my cold didn't come from my wet hair because he didn't get it and obviously would have IF I was right about viruses and bacteria... (I am shocked that he didn't get it!) Must be all that black seed he consumes... tehehehehehehehehehe

I couldn't get a dentist to clean my teeth in Egypt because they "didn't look dirty"... UGH so much for prevention!

[Henia 11]

Henia,

Everything you wrote, I've also been told by friends and family LOL

Some people dress their baby boys up to look like girls and even pierce their ears, so that they don't get hassad for having a male child.

Once, my cousin told me not to leave my clothes laying around becuase shayton will dance in them...not sure if that's true or she made it up to tease me LOL

Good thing many ppl already say my son looks like a girl. And the sheitan does alot of dancing at my house LoL!

Jinn: Are people of the smoke (aka genies) who live amoung us in a parallel plain LOL! They are made of smoke but come to live in the form of humans, animals, demons and/or spirits.

[Henia 11]

Someone once mentioned something about burying nails and hair after you cut them...has anyone ever heard of that???

Hubby confirms this one... and you must make sure you have your wudu before you cut your hair, nails, or shave... or at least make sure you've made ghusl before you remove anything...

He can remember exactly why people burn them, but we're both pretty sure it is to prevent someone from taking them to make "black magic" on you. Be careful of the Sahara people..

And I can't believe no one has brought up all the evil eye stuff and all the ways to prevent hasad... Egypt is full of this stuff...

I'm not supposed to tell my dreams to him... good or bad, but when I go ahead he always has an explanation for them.... The other night we went to an NBA game and he didn't tell his friend where we were going because he didn't want to bring "hasad" on us...

I guess my MIL's flat is a regular hang out for Jinn... guess we'll not be staying there!!!! Even though he assures me they are good Jinn who have protected her and warned her of danger for years... I'm not very social when it comes to meeting them... YIKES!

oh well now you sure brought up the evil eye.... I didn't get to meet the "extended" family ie second cousins and some of my FIL's family cause of that.. they kept telling me "after" Also my husband doesn't like our picture up cause we're so "cute" together however I have read alot about the Evil eye and it appears throughout the world.

but I am fortunate I have a key ring with the hand and eye in the palm to help ward it off.

Oooooooooo Rajaa some might call you a witch for.

Have you all also heard tats are sign of witchery?

[Henia 11]

But if your left hand itches you will lose money.

And speaking of jinn ... and the such ... any of you know of MENA creatures like mummies coming to live, werewolves or vampires ... just finished the Twilight series ... it's got me on this paranormal buzz. Maybe I will freak my in-laws out ... LOL! Watch this one: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/118495/vampires/

Maybe I am going to write a book ... and get rich -Muslim vampires LOLOLOL!

LOL you are crazy Bridget! In my house, we bang on the wall ... if someone is in the WC ... and other person doesn't realize it. LOL!

And Karamella, I agree with you all your points ... funny how it applys here too! Many diabetics in my husband's family yet all seem to use sugar like it's good for them. ANd here too if the doctor doesnt give you least 3meds they arent good LOLOL!

Edited December 22, 2008 by Henia

[nunyab 0]

Someone once mentioned something about burying nails and hair after you cut them...has anyone ever heard of that???

Hubby confirms this one... and you must make sure you have your wudu before you cut your hair, nails, or shave... or at least make sure you've made ghusl before you remove anything...

He can remember exactly why people burn them, but we're both pretty sure it is to prevent someone from taking them to make "black magic" on you. Be careful of the Sahara people..

And I can't believe no one has brought up all the evil eye stuff and all the ways to prevent hasad... Egypt is full of this stuff...

I'm not supposed to tell my dreams to him... good or bad, but when I go ahead he always has an explanation for them.... The other night we went to an NBA game and he didn't tell his friend where we were going because he didn't want to bring "hasad" on us...

I guess my MIL's flat is a regular hang out for Jinn... guess we'll not be staying there!!!! Even though he assures me they are good Jinn who have protected her and warned her of danger for years... I'm not very social when it comes to meeting them... YIKES!

oh well now you sure brought up the evil eye.... I didn't get to meet the "extended" family ie second cousins and some of my FIL's family cause of that.. they kept telling me "after" Also my husband doesn't like our picture up cause we're so "cute" together however I have read alot about the Evil eye and it appears throughout the world.

but I am fortunate I have a key ring with the hand and eye in the palm to help ward it off.

Oooooooooo Rajaa some might call you a witch for.

Have you all also heard tats are sign of witchery?

[Henia 11]

Amal: I think many MENA people (women) just find anything to occupy their time ... lame as that sounds LOL!

[JeanneVictoria 55]

Hubby remembers once when he was young he was singing in the shower and his dad told him one never sings in the shower. He asked him why but was never answered.

My best songs are in the shower!!

[UmmSqueakster 54]

Alas, I developed cold induced asthma/allergies since the husband has arrived, which he blames on my drinking cold things/eating ice cream.

As for talking in the bathroom, there's a hadith basis for it:

Abû Sa`îd (ra) said: I heard the Prophet (saws) saying : “Two men should not go to relieve themselves, exposing their private parts, and then be talking to each other, since Allah hates that.” (Abu Dawud, Ibn Mâjah, Musnad Ahmad)

[doodlebugg 10]

Alas, I developed cold induced asthma/allergies since the husband has arrived, which he blames on my drinking cold things/eating ice cream.

As for talking in the bathroom, there's a hadith basis for it:

Abû Sa`îd (ra) said: I heard the Prophet (saws) saying : “Two men should not go to relieve themselves, exposing their private parts, and then be talking to each other, since Allah hates that.” (Abu Dawud, Ibn Mâjah, Musnad Ahmad)

Well that part I get. I always think it strange that here at work we're all dressed up and intimidated by our boss and yet two seconds after the meeting is over we're 1/2 naked on the toilet pooping and peeing right next to each other!

[caybee 21]

We watched a show about grave robbers in Morocco who dig up bodies in order to perform magic against others, such as a woman against her rival for a man. Grim stuff, and very sad for the relatives who find the open graves.