Religion
 

Significance of Ramazan

Alhaj A.M.M. Rauf

FASTING: On the last day of Shabaan, the Messenger of Allah said: "O people there comes upon you now a great month, a most blessed month, in which lies a night greater in worth than thousand months. It is a month which Allah has made compulsory that the fasting should be observed by day, and he has made the "Tharaweeh" by night a "Sunnah".

As a matter of fact, Islam is not the only religion which prescribe fasting. The adherents of Judaism and Christianity also fast occasionally, as it was also commanded of them.

Allah says: "O you who believe Fasting is prescribed to you as it was to those before you, that you may learn self-restraint" - (Qur'an 2:183) This verse confirms three facts: first that fasting is an established factor of religion; secondly, the Islamic fact in the intensity of its goals differs from other religions; and thirdly by fasting, Muslims hope to achieve God consciousness (Taqwah) which is absolute dedication to Allah.

But this does not mean that the Islamic fast (Saum) is like the other fasts, previously observed, in the number of days, the time or manner of fasts, or other incidents; it only means that the principle of self denial by fasting is not a new one for the believers.

Fasting, however, is a direct aid in strengthening a Muslim's faith and also in training one's self to control one's impure desires.

It is also an effective way to learn how to harness one's desires and to surrender one's body and soul to the service of Allah and benefit of others. It is also helpful in obtaining the Divine pleasure. To abstain from food, drink any foul utterance or deed is the main purpose behind fasting.

Muslims begin fasting with Suhoor, a light meal taken before dawn. It enables one to bear the hard ships of fasting during the day as the Noble Prophet Muhammad said: "Reciting the Qur'an during the days of Ramadhan elicits special reward from Allah and helps the person to become aware of the way to worship and get close to Allah."

Iftar

Breaking of the fast, that is Iftar, takes place after sunset without delay. This indicates clearly that it is the Prophet's Sunnah not to delay breaking one's fast once we are certain that the sun has set.

Laylatul Qadr

Towards the end of the month of Ramadhan, there comes a special night, called Laylatul Qadr, the night of Grandeur or Majesty. This great night has been described by the Qur'an as the night in which the Qur'an was sent down and a night which is better than thousand months.

Laylatul Qadr is the most blessed night. A person who misses it has indeed missed a great amount of good. If a believing person is zealous to obey his Lord and increases the good deeds in his record, he should strive to encounter this night and to pass it in worship and obedience.

If this is facilitated for him all of his previous sins will be forgiven. It is recommended to make a long night prayer (Qiyam) during the nights on which Laylatul Qadr could fall.

This is indicated in many Hadiths, such as the following: Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) "Whosoever stands in (Qiyam) in Laylatul Qadr (and it is facilitated for him) out of faith and expectation (of Allah's reward) will have all of this previous sins forgiven." (Al Bukhari, Muslim, Ahamad)

Eid-ul-Fitr

On the first day after the month of Ramadhan, Muslims around the would celebrate the breaking of the fast with congregational prayers known as Salat al Eid. The day gives the Muslims the opportunity to plan their future and review their performance.

Zakat Al Fitr

To fully comprehend the needs of the poor, A muslim regardless of having fasted or not, is obliged to pay Zakat Al Fitr, a fixed amount of food or its equivalent to needy person.

It has been said that fasting do not attain perfection without a person having paid Zakat al Fitr.

Through the month long fasting, Allah wants us to learn how to be good Muslim in all aspects of lives throughout the year.

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Dawn of Ramazan

Ramazan has dawned for Muslims all over the globe to revive the spiritual practice throughout the month.

Though Muslims observe Islamic practices in the rest of the year, Ramazan is declared to be a most sacred month for the pious to perform special prayers while fasting throughout the day time.

Restraining hunger - anger - malice - backbiting - and all the evil thoughts and actions. It's a training period for establishing a perfect islamic life - especially disciplining the day to day life with excellent morality and a sense of tolerance leading to peace and harmony.

- M.Y.M. Meeadh

Islam - a religion of culture

M. Y. M. Meeadh

Islam, being basically a religion of excellent culture and civilisation moulds the character of a man with its teachings of good qualities.

The Holy Quran says as follows: "those who spend (in Allah's cause) in prosperity and in adversity, who repress anger and who pardon men, Allah loves Al-Muhsinun (the good-doers) - Chapt. 3, verse 134). This

 Quranic verse stipulates three degrees of good qualities that a Muslim should possess.

1) Spending when we have plenty as well as when things are not very good for us is a sign that the doing of good has become part of our nature. It is a sound belief in the provision of sustenance by God.

2) Restraining of anger and pardoning, besides being great moral qualities, strengthens the bond of union which is so necessary for success. Those who restrain their anger are those who do not make themselves slaves to anger. When some one offends them, they control their anger and forgive readily as soon as a pardon is sought of them.

The Quran enjoins forgiveness to those who offend us in the same way that we desire that Almighty Allah shall forgive us when we offend Him which we do every day. It requires us to do good even to those who do evil to us, for it is by such act that we teach them the essence of doing good.

The Quran says, "The good deed and the bad deed are not equal. But repel evil deed what is better, then he, between whom and you, there was enmity, will become as though he was bosom friend." (Chapt. 41, Verse 33)

There are some people who will say, out of anger that they will have nothing to do with their fellow beings until death does them part. This is quite un-Islamic we offend Allah several times a day and He forgives us whenever we repent and ask for His forgiveness, we should learn a lesson from this.

We may disagree - we may quarrel. This is one of the problems that should arise when people live together. Those quarrels must be settled and both parties to the fight must readily forget and forgive; this is what Islam teaches and that is what Allah loves.

Those who readily forgive are those who have the power, the means and the opportunity to inflict punishment or wreak vengeance upon their fellow beings who offend them, but they readily waive all these rights and lust in favour of forgiveness.

Indeed, these are the God-fearing people. Surely, God loves those who do good to others.

Sri Raja Rajeswary temple festival

Shyamala Devi Karunakharan

ANNUAL FESTIVAL: Located in Colombo's northern seaside in Crow Island, Mattakkuliya, Sri Raja Rajeswary

 Ambaal kovil has attracted a number of devotees over the years since its inception. This can be attributed not to the general colourful outlook but purely to the miracles and the power of the deity positioned in this relatively small kovil.

Sri Raja Rajeswary is one of many phases opted by Goddess Kali. Kali is the most frightening form of facets secured by Parvathi to destroy the most ruthless king called Pathmasuran in Kanchpuram, who ill-treated the innocents. When she achieved her task she adopted a placid and serene mood. This facet came to be known as Sri Raja Rajeswary.

The belief of Hindus is that any request made to her by her ardent devotees is usually granted. She is known to be so powerful.

This kovil established in September 2, 1991 by Selladurai and his wife Ahila Selladurai in their home did not have much recognition and there was a few number of devotees then. Over the years as the people found solace in their prayers and had their various problems solved, the number of devotees visiting the temple increased.

The kovil maintained by the founders is always kept neat and tidy. The main idol of Raja Rajeswary in the temple is dressed up in grand colourful costumes, and decorated with various jewellery.

The costumes are done by Ahila while the jewellery are made by her husband Selladurai. They toil hard to maintain the standards of the kovil despite their family commitment and ailments. They do not have a regular income. There is no issuing of tickets for poojas. But whoever visits the kovil is invited to participate in a pooja

 and are offered prasatham. No one is sent empty-handed.

The main festivities observed in the temple begins with the Theppathiruvizha in April on the Hindu New Year day. This completes on the final Sunday of that month in a grand ceremony in which the Sithirai kanchi (April porridge) is made while the women take part in chanting Mariyamman Thalattu and in offering lamps made out of thick flour dough.

A large number of devotees in and around the area participate to obtain the blessings of the Goddess. During this period the main idol of Raja Rajeswary will be in water and poojas are conducted by various devotees every day. There are grand celebrations during the 10 Navarathri days, Sivarathri, Thiruvembavai, Varalakshminonbu and Krishna Jeyanthi.

Talking about the miracles that have taken place Ahila Selladurai said that a seven-year-old child who was unable to talk gained speech in six month after a vow made by her parents at this kovil. Similarly people with deseases have seen their ailments cured.

Another important social service takes place in this kovil by Ahila Selladurai. She conducts religious classes for students every Friday, teaching them the importance of Hinduism, the principles and values in life and good manners and habits.

She provides them dinner and see that their way of eating is proper. "I commenced the class in April 3, 2003 with just six children, Abirami, Kavithra, Thakshala, Thivya, Praveena and Krishika", she said promptly.

Now she has 65 students attending her class and alls are clever and advanced for their age groups. The students call her "amma" with love and respect. They are well-versed in Thevaram, Thiruvasakam, Thirukkural and Koottuprarthanai. There are special events of quality standard organised by the students during important ceremonies. This class session is highly appreciated by the people in the area.

The service that Selladurai and his wife provide in way of maintaining the temple is immense. They belong to a class called Vishnubrahmanakothram and their generation has been founders of kovils that are still in operation in India. It dawned on them to found a kovil following a dream that Selladurai had, soon after they moved to their present house.

Since then they had gone through extensive difficulties to build this kovil. With the grace of God they run the kovil successfully. This year they will be celebrating their annual chariot festival on September 16 with the flag hoisting festival on Sunday, September 12.

There will be special poojas from September 12 to 16. On September 16, an abishekam with 108 conchshells and a subsequent pooja will take place early morning.

The Chariot decorated according to traditions, carrying the idol of Sri Raja Rajeswary, will be taken in procession from the temple around the streets of Crow Island and will reach the temple by afternoon. The day's event will end with Maheswara pooja (annathanam).