Houri
From RationalWiki
Houri are among the delights apparently promised the devout Muslims in heaven. There is an underlying assumption that devout Muslims are interested in houris[1] and not, for example gay men. They are, allegedly, perpetually virgins[2], despite any sexual congress they engage in.
These beings seem to be remarkable in some ways, as we are told by Muhammad al-Bukhari in his collection of Hadiths Sahih Bukhari:
"...(who will be so beautiful, pure and transparent that) the marrow of the bones of their legs will be seen through[3] the bones and the flesh."[4]
"They will not urinate, relieve nature, spit,[5] or have any nasal secretions. Their combs will be of gold, and their sweat will smell like musk. The aloes-wood will be used in their centres[3]. Their wives will be houris. All of them will look alike and will resemble their father Adam (in statute), sixty cubits tall."[6][7][8]
All of which (especially the "sixty cubits" part, which would make them well over 100 feet tall) may go some way to explaining their perpetual virginity.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
A more extensive examination can be found here along with the suggestion that the famous 72 virgins should perhaps be translated 72 grapes.
[edit] Footnotes
- ↑ Both genders are covered, assuming they are straight.
- ↑ For the varieties intended for male consumption, at least.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 So from these 2 verses we have transparent wood, besides the assumption that the houris are made out of wood?
- ↑ Sahih Bukhari, Book 54 "The Beginning of Creation", Hadith 476
- ↑ Lack of saliva may induce unnecessary difficulties in some activities
- ↑ Sahih Bukhari, Book 55 "Prophets", Hadith 544
- ↑ Houri size
- ↑ Houri size
