Anal Cleanliness is a Part of Islamic Tradition & Faith

TUSHY’s obsession with clean buttholes verges on the religious, but some religions -- specifically Islam -- include anal ablutions among their spiritual practices. 

Islam teaches that the condition of the body correlates to the condition of the spirit. As the saying goes, cleanliness is next to godliness! So a nasty butt is an absolute no go, especially before offering prayers. 

Enter the lota. A lota is a handheld vessel for water, used to spray clean the booty after the dirty business of pooping. Muslims use lotas after #2 to keep their body (and spirit) squeaky clean. To learn more about the origins of lotas and how to use them, read on!

What is a Lota?

Origin of the Lota

As with many Islamic practices, Prophet Muhammad kicked off the use of the lota. The Prophet Mohammad performed istinja, the act of washing private parts with water after committing najis, the common Arabic word used for doing number 1 and number 2. Istanja can be practiced with toilet paper or even rocks, but water is the standard toilet hygiene in Muslim homes countries. Lotas have been used for ritual purposes in India for millennia, with copper lotas being used in sacred Hindu ceremonies. Along the way, they became the standard vessel for anal ablutions.

Different Types of Lotas

So here’s where things get interesting. Anything can be a lota. Well, anything that can hold liquid and provide a controlled stream of water. Some Muslims carry portable douches that can fit in a handbag or pocket. The vibe is a Capri Sun with a screw-top lid or a portable bidet.

But not every Muslim buys a lota. This Muslim author says her aunt uses an orange watering can, while her husband employs a soda bottle, and has heard of folks using Travelodge kettles on the go. This author jokes about trying to explain a soy milk jug in the bathroom to non-Muslims. 

When water bottles aren’t available, or you’re pooping on the go, dampened toilet paper can stand in for a quality clean.

How to Use a Lota

This depends on the device, but the main trick is getting a concentrated stream directed at the spot that needs a clean. For a little toot-orial on the portable bidet, you can check out this vid from TUSHY. A lot of the lota comes down to angles! You basically squat over the pot and spray, then pat dry. In Muslim tradition, the lota is used exclusively with the left hand, while the right is reserved for eating.

The Lota vs the Shattaf

If you want more of a spray, you’ll want to move from bottle to bidet. The Shattaf is really more of an ass shower -- a hardware device installed in your home bathroom. It’s like a hand-held bidet, so ubiquitous in Muslim countries that it’s commonly referred to as a Muslim shower. Like a lota, the shattaf uses water to clean. On the plus side, the shattaf is not likely to run out of water -- it’s a longer term device. On the down side, it’s more difficult to install or uninstall. 

Whether you’re using a lota or a shattaf, the benefits of a water-washed bum transcend cultural boundaries. For a spiritual clean, you can always trust a TUSHY bidet attachment.