Why do we remove our shoes?

[prince_visram]

(Sorry if this is a repeat, and if so please post link because I could not find it using the search utility, Thanks)

Why do we remove our shoes when we come to Jamat Khane? I have heard the following reasons:

1. because we do not want to take the worldly matters that we have possesed all day long and difficulties and sorrows into the Jamat Khane

2. because it is Mowla's house and we respect it like at any other house.

If there are more reasons or any changes to the above, please post. Thank you a lot.

[kmaherali]

In my opinion shoes represent the barrier separating our bodies with the ground. By removing them we become one with the ground, i.e. become 'dust to dust' and hence humility is engendered. It can also be symbolic of the need to remove that which separates us from God – our egos. Hafiz has written a beautiful poem in this regard:

REMOVING THE SHOE FROM THE TEMPLE

Once someone asked me,
"Why do saints seek divine annihilation
And are often humble
And like to spend their free time
Upon their knees?"

I replied, "It is a simple matter of etiquette."
Then they said, "What do you mean, Hafiz?"
"Well," I continued,
"When ones goes into a mosque or temple
Is it not common to remove what
Covers your
Feet?

So too does it happen With this whole mind and body— That is something like a shoe sole—
When one begins to realize Upon Whom you are really standing,
One begins
To remove the 'shoe' from the Temple."

The Imam who is the Pure does not have the 'shoe' to remove and hence he does not remove his shoes.

[hungama25]

i totally agree with brother maherali

[GMR]

Just to add: I recall that during a visit to a mosque in Jordan some months ago, the Pope Benedicts was not asked to put off his shoes, as Mr. Karim mentioned that Imam doesn't need to remove his shoes, as He is pure (pak). I think in a worldly matter the shoes of common people are not considered pure (pak), as they walk on dirt/filth also. So as a mark of respect, people put off their shoes before entering into a mosque, jamatkhana or a holy place.

[GMR]

"And He (God) said to Moses, draw not nigh hither. Put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground." (Holy Bible Exodus 3:5)

But when he came to the fire, a voice was heard: "O Moses! Varily I am thy Lord. Therefore (in my presence) put off thy shoes: thou art in the sacred valley Tuwa." Holy Quran 20:11-12

[TheMaw]

Just to add: I recall that during a visit to a mosque in Jordan some months ago, the Pope Benedicts was not asked to put off his shoes, as Mr. Karim mentioned that Imam doesn't need to remove his shoes, as He is pure (pak).

That he did not remove his shoes made a lot of people really angry...

[GMR]

TheMaw. Remember! As Muslims consider Angels, Prophets and Imams (as per Shia Islam) pure, Christians consider Pope pure according to their belief. Unfortunately with Muslims nothing has been left except anger and intorlence. Muslims have forgotton the philosophy of [i][b]'pluralism'[/b][/i] and they are not prepared to even accept their own fellow Muslim brothers and slaughtering each other. You do not see what's going on within Muslim Ummah?[/i][/b]

[kmaherali]

TheMaw. Remember! As Muslims consider Angels, Prophets and Imams (as per Shia Islam) pure, Christians consider Pope pure according to their belief. Unfortunately with Muslims nothing has been left except anger and intorlence. Muslims have forgotton the philosophy of 'pluralism' and they are not prepared to even accept their own fellow Muslim brothers and slaughtering each other. You do not see what's going on within Muslim Ummah?[/i][/b]

I think when the Imam goes to a masjid to say his namaz, he removes his shoes. He is only the Pure in the context of our tradition, but with respect to the outside world he is a Muslim who prays and fasts. In his Irshad Mubarak when non-Ismaili Muslims are present he addresses them as his brothers and sisters in Islam.

[TheMaw]

I am with Kmaherali... that was a masjid, not a khaneh. A khaneh is a different kind of space, not a special Ismaili masjid or something.

All human beings remove their shoes in a masjid, and that the Pope did not was a terrific blunder (and offense) on his part. And we've all seen the Imam-e Zaman praying salawaat, and he isn't in shoes!

[kmaherali]

And we've all seen the Imam-e Zaman praying salawaat, and he isn't in shoes!

I am actually interested in these situations. Can you provide examples. In a Deedar situation with the Jamat, the Imam always has his shoes.

[prince_visram]

And we've all seen the Imam-e Zaman praying salawaat, and he isn't in shoes!

I am actually interested in these situations. Can you provide examples. In a Deedar situation with the Jamat, the Imam always has his shoes.

My mom told me that he wears his shoes in the Didar hall because he is the most powerful one in the room, which gives him the right to keep his shoes on while in the Didar Hall.. Well that was her opinion and I agree with it...