PATNA: On the first Friday of the
holy month of Ramzan, all the city mosques, numbering over 500, were
overflowing with Muslims assembled to offer Juma prayer
in the afternoon. Heads bowed in obeisance and palms cupped in
supplication, they prayed to the Almighty for their welfare and for
peace and social harmony.Starting on Saturday last, the ninth month of Islamic calendar will culminate in the festival of Eid
by August 19 or 20, depending on the sighting of the moon. In this
monthlong fasting or 'Roza', the Muslims offer special prayers to
rededicate themselves to the Almighty. Those observing fast control
themselves not only in eating and drinking but also from many desires.
"This purifies one's soul and changes lifestyle. It makes a foundation
of discipline and enthuses a sense of constructive thinking and
working," said Islamic scholar Maulana Shakil Qasmi.
The Ramzan this time, however, created some division in the Muslim society over the date of its observance. While in Arab and Gulf countries, the month started on last Friday, in India majority of Muslims began fasting on Saturday and some others from Sunday. The confusion arose due to sighting of the moon.
While the Sunni Muslims began fasting from Saturday, the Shias started fasting from Sunday. Among the Sunnis, those belonging to Barailvi school of thought decided to observe fast from Sunday whereas those having faith in Deoband school began it from Saturday. It is after a long time that such a divergence of opinion happened and, in most probability, Eid would also be observed for two days in India and three days across the world.
With Ramzan falling in the months of July-August, the fasting has become hard due to heat and humidity. The test of self-restraint is made harder by frequent power cuts in the city. CM Nitish Kumar, before the start of the holy month, had directed the power board officials not to resort to power cuts in Muslim localities and asked the PMC officials to ensure proper sanitation and cleanliness. "The CM's orders remain on paper as almost all the localities are facing shutdowns during the 'Iftar' (fast breaking) time and the garbage has been left to accumulate after clearing them once," rued Kamal Ansari of Sabzibagh locality.
"The importance of this holy month is enhanced as the Holy Quran had been revealed to Prophet Mohammad during this month," said Imarat Shariah general secretary Maulana Anisur Rahman Qasmi. The special prayer during Ramzan is called 'Traveeh', which is held after the late evening namaz. In this special prayer, the ayats of chapters of Holy Quran are recited by the 'Hafiz', literally meaning 'guardian' or 'retentive', in standing position.
A six-day Traveeh session, organized by the Bihar State Sunni Wakf Board, concluded at Anjuman Islamia Hall on Thursday night. Board chairman Mohd Irshadullah said despite rain, over 5,000 people attended the traveeh prayers for six days. Traveeh prayers are held in most of the mosques throughout the month, during which all the 30 chapters of the Quran are recited.
Iftar or breaking of the fast at the dusk is the most cherished time, as after nearly 15 hours of fast time comes to break it with dates, iced sorbet and other fried delicacies. Iftar has been glamorized by the politicians and rich. On August 9, CM Nitish Kumar will host a party at 1 Anne Marg, and deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi will arrange a party at Anjuman Islamia Hall on August 11.
The Ramzan this time, however, created some division in the Muslim society over the date of its observance. While in Arab and Gulf countries, the month started on last Friday, in India majority of Muslims began fasting on Saturday and some others from Sunday. The confusion arose due to sighting of the moon.
Thousands of people offered 'namaz' at various mosques on the occasion of first Friday of Ramzan.The maximum rush was witnessed outside of the Masjid. Even the young ones clad in kurta pajama and white 'topi' reached the mosque to offer namaz.
Fazal Rahman, a 'rozedar' said: "It is believed that Allah always listens to the prayers offered on the Fridays of the month of 'Ramzan'. Therefore, Fridays hold a lot of importance for the Muslim community. The entire month is considered to be a month of prayers and fasting. Today we have prayed for the well-being of all of us."
Another 'rozedar' Faraz, said: "We have prayed for the betterment of the country on first Friday of the pious month."
The district administration and the police had made elaborate security arrangements.
Fazal Rahman, a 'rozedar' said: "It is believed that Allah always listens to the prayers offered on the Fridays of the month of 'Ramzan'. Therefore, Fridays hold a lot of importance for the Muslim community. The entire month is considered to be a month of prayers and fasting. Today we have prayed for the well-being of all of us."
Another 'rozedar' Faraz, said: "We have prayed for the betterment of the country on first Friday of the pious month."
The district administration and the police had made elaborate security arrangements.
While the Sunni Muslims began fasting from Saturday, the Shias started fasting from Sunday. Among the Sunnis, those belonging to Barailvi school of thought decided to observe fast from Sunday whereas those having faith in Deoband school began it from Saturday. It is after a long time that such a divergence of opinion happened and, in most probability, Eid would also be observed for two days in India and three days across the world.
With Ramzan falling in the months of July-August, the fasting has become hard due to heat and humidity. The test of self-restraint is made harder by frequent power cuts in the city. CM Nitish Kumar, before the start of the holy month, had directed the power board officials not to resort to power cuts in Muslim localities and asked the PMC officials to ensure proper sanitation and cleanliness. "The CM's orders remain on paper as almost all the localities are facing shutdowns during the 'Iftar' (fast breaking) time and the garbage has been left to accumulate after clearing them once," rued Kamal Ansari of Sabzibagh locality.
"The importance of this holy month is enhanced as the Holy Quran had been revealed to Prophet Mohammad during this month," said Imarat Shariah general secretary Maulana Anisur Rahman Qasmi. The special prayer during Ramzan is called 'Traveeh', which is held after the late evening namaz. In this special prayer, the ayats of chapters of Holy Quran are recited by the 'Hafiz', literally meaning 'guardian' or 'retentive', in standing position.
A six-day Traveeh session, organized by the Bihar State Sunni Wakf Board, concluded at Anjuman Islamia Hall on Thursday night. Board chairman Mohd Irshadullah said despite rain, over 5,000 people attended the traveeh prayers for six days. Traveeh prayers are held in most of the mosques throughout the month, during which all the 30 chapters of the Quran are recited.
Iftar or breaking of the fast at the dusk is the most cherished time, as after nearly 15 hours of fast time comes to break it with dates, iced sorbet and other fried delicacies. Iftar has been glamorized by the politicians and rich. On August 9, CM Nitish Kumar will host a party at 1 Anne Marg, and deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi will arrange a party at Anjuman Islamia Hall on August 11.
No comments:
Post a Comment