Loading ...14 Arab Superstitions Defying Common Sense
BY: Tamara Wong Azaiez/Contributing Writer
The Arab world can be an extremely superstitious place. In order to battle the evil spirits, we have compiled a list of potentially hazardous situations that may be jinxing you. Some of these superstitions seem silly, but they are long-standing cultural habits we’re not ready to let go of just yet. Remember to always spill your coffee, save your salt, and wear your underwear backwards for optimal results!
1. Run Away From The Upside Down Shoe
If you somehow stumble across your shoe overturned, then RUN AWAY. Clearly your house is dirty and the bad luck of the 50 thieves is about to break loose.
2. Spill Your Coffee, Make It Rain With Luck!
Need some extra luck finding a Saudi Prince? Spill your coffee and low and behold he will appear, hummus in hand.
3. Do Not Whistle At That Pretty Young Thing At Night
According the ancient Arabian peoples in the sky, if you cat call someone in the night, the evil spirits will interpret your whistles as a cry for attention, swooping to yell Haram-ities at you.
4. Avoid The Onion Peels. They are out to ruin your marriage!
The onion peels are the reason for all of your marital problems. Rumour has it, the moment you step on an onion, Nancy Ajram will magically appear to steal your man. AVOID THE PEEL.
5. Do Not Let MishMish The Cat Sleep In Your Bed
You may think MishMish is all fur and cuddles, but he in fact has alterior motives. If you let him, or any other cat, sleep in your bed, he will fulfill his longlife dream of being a belly dancer by taking over your body with the help of the bitter genies.
6. The Only Way is Khamsa
Does your man not own enough land? Does your son not want to become a doctor? Wave your hands up in the air, spirit fingers and all, and eventually, your man will own the Sahara Desert and your son will give you that knee surgery you’ve been avoiding for two years.
7. Pinch Your Wife, Save A Life
What is Baba and Mama’s secret to their everlasting marriage? Pinching! On that special day, be sure to pinch the bride as many times as possible, each pinch is worth up to 10 years of marriage bliss!
8. Habibti, Don’t Spill The Salt!
If you spill the salt after salting your falafel, it is guaranteed you will never eat falafel the same way again. However, to reverse the curse, simply throw it over your left shoulder mumbling “Inshallah”. That should do the trick!
9. Leave the Hoots for Hishem
Contrary to popular belief, owls ARE the enemy. Cross paths with one of these bad boys, accept that death is nigh. Have one hoot at you and cousin Mohammed may “accidentally” run you over while sprinting to pay the bill.
10. Get Badder, Step Under That Ladder
Do you want the fierceness of 1000 Shakiras? Step under the ladder, a guaranteed stairway to heaven. Trust your Egyptian friends on this one.
11. Is Cousin Samia Determined To Get Married Before You? Then Wear Your Underwear Inside Out
When going to someone’s house who you KNOW wants to sabotage you, be sure to wear your underwear inside out. This way, their spicy magic will not get to you by powers of your backwards pants.
12. Itchy Palms? Kiss those Hundred Dollar Bills Goodbye!
If your hands are feeling itchy, DO NOT SCRATCH THEM! Financial problems are headed your way if you so much as think to give them a little scratchy scratch. No more money. No more land. Bye-bye happiness.
13. Lost Some Of Those Hundred Dollar Bills? Never Fear, Blue Will Guide You!
Did someone steal your money? Never fear, the color blue has a ~special power~ to unjinx any situation. Didn’t say mashallah enough today? Pop on your favorite blue hijab and all the misfortune will simply go away!
14. Broken Mirror, Definite Sinner
Walking home from the salon and spot a broken mirror to admire your flowing locks? LOOK AWAY! If you look into a broken mirror, you are looking into the face of misfortune, your hair will all fall out and your house will never have hummus when you need it. Do you really want that?