Sweat Lodge
Saunas and places to sweat for health reasons and are
Halal.
They
exist in Muslim societies. Native cultures have such places and sweat lodges
are example of that.
A frame is made from branches over the ground with a pit in
the middle. The frame is covered to make an enclosed structure. A fire is
built outside the entrance and stones are placed in the fire. The hot
stones are then placed in the pit in the middle of the sitting. Water is
then splashed over the stones and steam spreads inside the structure.
Herbs that have good chemical content are placed on the water
and they affect the steam content. Stones need to be chosen carefully.
Igneous stones and in particular dense basalt stones are the best. Many
stones contain water causing them to explode when they are heated and
splashed with water resulting in severe injury.
In the Woodlands culture the number of stones is 7, 24, 36
etc. The door flap is opened closed after each session. There are four
sessions and with each session new stones are put in, 4 or 7 or other. Sweat
lodges besides being steam baths are also good for muscle aches and they are
religious acts within various indigenous cultures but not all.