much later period.[30]
- I have heard that some of the Muslim traditions
are very strange, such as the idea that yawning is evil. Is
this true?
Yes. Many traditions of Muhammad are downright bizarre
and reveal a strange mixture of superstition and folk
religion, including the idea that yawning is evil. ‘‘The
Prophet said, ‘Yawning is from Satan and if anyone of you
yawns, he should check his yawning as much as possible,
for if anyone of you (during the act of yawning) should say:
‘‘Ha’’, Satan will laugh at him.’ ’’[31]
This is not the only odd belief contained in Islamic
tradition. Consider these examples as well:
‘‘The Prophet said, ‘If anyone of you rouses from sleep and performs the
ablution, he should wash his nose by putting water in it and then blowing it out
thrice, because Satan has stayed in the upper part of his nose all the night.’
’’[32]
‘‘The Prophet said, ‘Do not kill snakes except the short tailed or mutilated
tailed snake with two white lines on its back, for it causes abortion and makes
one blind. So kill it.’ ’’[33]
‘‘The Prophet said, ‘Angels do not enter a house which has either a dog or a
picture in it.’ ’’[34]
45. Doesn’t Islam also teach that dark
skin is some sort of curse or penalty?
Unfortunately yes. The tradition you refer to is