now that I've taken my shahada, I finally had the courage to ask a question about Islam that's been plaguing me for almost a year.

So, in the privacy of his car, I ask my good friend Faisal: "So, I've always wondered... Muslims are... supposed to use water in the bathroom after... afterwards... so... what do you do when there's no... bidet."

Faisal says to me, "Well...... first of all, I'm glad you feel comfortable asking me about things like this... Ok, did you see that watering can beside the toilet? Yeah, that's not just for watering flowers, it's also for watering your butt."

And I go "uh... huuh......"

And Faisal says, "yeah... it's frequently led to odd looks and awkward conversations. Mainly in the dorms."

(at which point I imagined all of Faisal's perplexed floormates staring after him as he carries his watering can with him to the bathroom on a daily basis)


Neways, I've figured out I'm going to have to find a teacher, like an Imam to learn 'ibaadat the right way, like what sort of rules apply to keep prayer valid, and all those other nuts and bolts sorta aspects to Islam.

I tried using Faisal's watering can this morning for the first time. It was extremely awkward trying to maneuver a watering can between myself and the back of the toilet. And I thought: I wonder if the Imam will be able to teach me how to do this, or if I'm on my own for this one.