Living in a Islamic country is usually perceived by outsiders as a place free of superstitions, magic, mysticism, dark tales etc. But I have seen and heard many episodes of superstitions or as they say delicately…beliefs followed by Muslims living in Islamic countries. For example one family I visit often says that when stepping into the house, one has to make sure that no shoe is left upside down when you remove them. Another friend considers that one should not wear any piece of jewelery if it cracks, or looses one of its stones. Many of my colleagues consider snapping scissors without cutting anything as bad luck. Some people consider certain colors lucky, others consider certain numbers to be lucky, while many consider keeping a good luck charm to ward off so called bad luck.
There are many many beliefs similar to these that people have now consciously made part of their thought processes. The Islamic law is clear that there should be no mumbo-jumbo in a Muslims life, but I guess not everyone can escape the lure of some mysticism in their life.
I see news reports every now and then that the authorities have captured some tantrik baba or quack or so called mystic in Kuwait trying to sneak in objects for mysto-magical purposes. But what leaves a question mark is the fact that those same newspapers carry horoscopes religiously in their editions everyday. Of course there is this argument that ‘its for entertainment only‘. Well how about putting some pin-up posters of semi-clad women for entertainment purposes only?! Now that would cause the havoc of the millennium.
Here is a list of my favorite superstitious beliefs.. only for entertainment purposes
- Never open an umbrella indoors
- Black cat crossing your way is bad luck
- Pregnant women should not visit graveyards
- When you speak of good luck.knock on wood..touchwood
- Never walk under a ladder
- Dropping salt shaker and spilling salt brings bad luck
- Groom should never see the bride dressed in wedding gown before the wedding ceremony
Are you superstitious? Do you have any tips….for entertainment purposes only?!
[poll=18]
I read those reports in the Kuwait papers, and I always wonder “what equipment?” How do you know what witchcraft equipment looks like?
I think I am not superstitious, but I don’t walk under ladders. It’s not just superstition, it seems to me to be a safety issue!
One superstition is not to talk about something you really want or it won’t happen.
The scissors thing is not about luck, but according to Islam there are “Jin” all around us all the time….so when u blindly play with scissors u might accidently hurt them.
Hmmmmm what else…..oh and about the shoes, the reason they should not be left up-turned is cuz its as if its facing Allah.
Emmmm theres more but i cant remember!!
You should distinguish between the so called “mystic”, and horoscopes papers in newspapers. Mystics are doing illegal and harmful jobs. They don’t predict your future, they don’t bring you luck, instead, some of their customers (mostly women) ask for a named husband, while the other may ask to let a specific girl love him, someothers may hurm someone they hate, just becuase they hate them. These hurmful actions can cause illness to innocent people, and make others take decisions they didn’t want to take.
horoscopes are for fun, they’re predictoins, read it or leave it, it’s finally your choice.
Islam’s stance from mystics and horoscopes is the same. It’s sinful to read horoscopes papers. However, newspapers are for both, muslims and non-muslims