Many Muslims, Alevis, Hindus, Buddhists and Baha’i take off their shoes and boots at certain types of prayer. Jews and Christians do not know this ritual.

In which religions do you have to take off your shoes and boots while praying?

Muslims

Many Muslims pray five times a day at fixed times. To do this, they always take off their shoes whenever possible, no matter where they are. A general shoe taboo applies to them in the mosque. But many also do this in their own homes.

Alevis

Alevis enter their prayer room in the Cem house without shoes. If there is no dedicated prayer room, the same applies to the carpeted prayer corner. So everything stays nice and clean. In addition, an old description of Alevis already says that the participants in the Semah prayer turn barefoot.

Hindus and Buddhists

Hindus and Buddhists pray in the temple, in front of your house altar and also in the great outdoors. They also do not wear shoes in the temple or at home.

Baha’i

Baha’i only enter their holy places in Israel barefoot or on socks. For them, this is a sign of respect for the sanctity of the place. In their house of prayer, the House of Worship, and in any other place, Baha’i are free to choose whether or not to wear shoes when praying.

Shoes and boots: Meet God with respect and adoration

All religions are about meeting God with respect, esteem and adoration. In some religions, this also means that the street dirt and with it the thoughts of everyday life should stay outside. Because the thoughts often revolve around irrelevant things or even envy, greed, resentment or hatred. And it is a goal of all religions to overcome these feelings.

Some religions symbolically wash off bad thoughts with ritual cleansing.

Many Hindus, therefore, wash their feet before entering the temple or their own apartment with the house altar.

Many Muslims do this before every prayer. For them, the ritual washing of the hands and face is also part of it. It’s called Wudu or Abdest.

Many Buddhists even put on white gloves and a face mask as a sign of Buddha’s worship when they prepare their altars in the temple for a special occasion.