Is That a Teapot by the Toilet?
Rayyan learns to use the toilet the Muslim way, from going in with his left foot to washing with water, in a potty training audiobook for ages 4 to 6.
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What is Is That a Teapot by the Toilet? about?
Is That a Teapot by the Toilet? is an Islamic audiobook for children aged 4 to 6: a rhyming potty training story about a little boy called Rayyan who learns to use the toilet the Muslim way.
It is a big day for Rayyan and his mum. At the bathroom door they remember what they practised: in with Bismillah and the left foot first. Rayyan steps in with his right foot, so they step out and try again, and again, until Mum laughs that they are dancing. When he has finished his wee, Mum shows him how Muslims clean themselves with water, using the old jug that sits by the toilet. Is that a teapot? Rayyan asks. No, Mum laughs: in Bengali it is a bodna, and in Urdu a lota. Then they leave with the right foot and say Ghufranak.
Over the following weeks there are plenty of accidents, until Rayyan learns when he needs to go. Out shopping, the family rushes into a restaurant and finds only a watering can, and Rayyan notices the plastic cup at a wedding hall and the little shower on the wall at the mosque. At the park, Mum pulls out a bottle: her own travelling lota. A year later, it is his little brother Ridwan's turn.
The audio ends with a short activity section of questions to talk about together. It is written by Rabia Bashir and illustrated by Basma Hosam. It takes about five minutes and is music-free.
What your child will learn
- We go into the toilet with the left foot and Bismillah, and leave with the right foot.
- Muslims clean themselves with water after using the toilet.
- When we leave the toilet, we say Ghufranak.
- Learning something new takes practice, and mistakes are all right.
Where this audiobook comes from
- Sunan Abi Dawud 30: When the Prophet ﷺ came out of the toilet, he said "Ghufranak" (I ask Your forgiveness).
- Sahih al-Bukhari 150: When the Prophet ﷺ went to relieve himself, Anas and another boy brought a container of water, and he cleaned himself with it.
Talk about it afterwards
- Which foot did Rayyan use to go into the bathroom, and what did he say?
- Which foot did he leave with, and what did he say?
- What happened when the family went out shopping?
- What does your family call the jug by the toilet?
Words to know
- Lota
- A jug of water used for washing after the toilet (the Urdu word; bodna is the Bengali word).
- Ghufranak
- "I ask Your forgiveness", said to Allah when leaving the toilet.
- Bismillah
- In the name of Allah.
Frequently asked questions
What age is Is That a Teapot by the Toilet? suitable for?
Children aged 4 to 6. It is written for children who are starting potty training, to share with a parent.
What does Is That a Teapot by the Toilet? teach children?
The Islamic manners of using the toilet, for little ones. Go in with the left foot and Bismillah, wash with water, and leave with the right foot, saying Ghufranak.
How long is Is That a Teapot by the Toilet?
About 5 minutes.
Does Is That a Teapot by the Toilet? have music?
No. It is music-free.
