Religion

Islam:

Islam’s mercy to animals

The mercy of Islam is universal, which embraces not only human being, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, but all living creatures as well. Muslims believe all creatures are from Allah, who is the Creator and Sustainer of everything which exist in the Universe. Accordingly, animals are creation of Allah, who loves his creations and prohibits cruelty to animals.

Animals have their own right, just like human, also they posses similar characteristics, temperaments and consciousness. They have ability to experience what we all consider to be morally relevant states of feelings such as pain, distress, fear, anxiety, loneliness, joy and pleasure.

Prominence of Animals in the Qur’an

Reflecting the prominence of animals in the divine scheme of things, many Chapters in the Qur’an are named after animals. e.g. The Cow (Chapter 2), The Cattle (6), The Bee (16), The Ant (27), The Spider (29), The Elephant (105). Thus we see that Qur’an sanctifies life in all aspects.

The modern ethological findings are reflected in the Qur’anic concept of animals as the Ummah (community) just like mankind is: “There is not an animal (that lives) on the earth nor a bird which flies on wings, but they are communities like you” (6:38).

‘Animals live on the earth’ include those living in the water-fishes, reptiles, crustaceans, insects as well as four-footed beasts. ‘Bird’ includes anything that flies, including mammals like bats.

Animals have been created for the benefit of mankind, men are the masters of them. At the meantime, Islam enjoined upon men right relationship with animals. We are asked to treat animal decently.

Islam very much concerns the way of slaughtering as well. Islam insists it should be carried out with decent manner without torturing and abusing them while slaughtering and prior to it.

Islam says that only in limited cases some animals are allowed to be killed, when they danger the life of the human and their properties.

People should behave with great responsibility regarding hunting as well. If hunting tools that cause great pain it should be prohibited. This includes traps that lock on the leg of animal causing pain and bleeding until the hunter returns.

Hunting animals for pleasure and hobbies, like in England and other Western countries, are prohibited in Islam as these animals, like foxes, being killed by hunters’ tools and their dogs in cruel way, without purpose.

The Holy Qur’an condemned the tradition of Arabs, during the Jahiliyya (Pre-Islamic period) for superstitious slitting the ears of cattle, calling this is a practice inspired by Satan (4:199).

The Qur’an declared that the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) was sent as a mercy to the whole world, including human-beings and other living creatures.

Prophet’s mercy to animals

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was kind to all living beings, who protected the rights of human being, as well as animals. He prescribed to human being to prevent from cruelty and ill-treatment of animals and had made kindness to animals, a part of its faith. Further the Prophet (PBUH) declared that the cruelty to the animals is a sufficient reason for a person to be sent to hell.

One day the Prophet (PBUH) described about a woman who went to hell. He said: “A woman was sent to the fire of hell because of a cat. She imprisoned her and neither fed her nor set her free upon the rodent of the earth” (Al-Bukhari).

Another occasion, the Prophet (PBUH) related to Companions the story of a man who found a dog panting with thirst near a well (The man did not find anything to bring water from the well). So, he went down into the well, filled his shoes with water which he gave to the dog, and continued to do so until the dog’s thrust was quenched.

The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Then Allah was grateful to him and forgave him his sins.” The Companions asked, O Messenger of Allah! Is there a reward for us in relation to animals? The Prophet (PBUH) replied, “There is a reward in (relation to) every living creature.” (Al-Bukhari)

Once the Prophet (PBUH) passed by a donkey with the branded face he said, “Have you not heard that I have cursed anyone who brands an animal on its face or he hits it on its face.” (Abu Dawood & Thirmidhi).

From above Traditions of the Prophet it is crystal clear that Islam prohibits any cruelty to animals and made the love and kindness toward every animal. One of the aspects of Islam’s concern for the right of animals is that it urges man to be kind with animals, which are one of creations of God and they have feelings and emotions, like human being.

Also, the Prophet (PBUH) forbade that animals being made to fight each other until one of them was bloodshed to death, or close to it. Furthermore, Ibn Abbas reported that the Prophet (PBUH) strongly condemned the castration of animals.

There are many Traditions (Hadiths) of the Prophet (PBUH) reflect that environmental vision about animals: ants, honey bees, hoopoes and sparrows. (Abu Dawoud).Finally, the men, superior creation of God, should be kind and love not only among self but also to all living beings, which are under divine mercy.

Compiled by Moulavi A.R.M. Mahroof Thihariya

Hinduism:

Thaipusam

Thaipusam or Thai Poosam Kavady is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Hindu community on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival.

The festival commemorates both the birthday of Lord Murugan (also Subramaniam), the youngest son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman.

The origin of Lord Skanda, the purpose of His avatara and its significance are of much importance to all seekers after Truth. During the battle between the Asuras and the Devas, the latter were defeated several times by the former.

The Devas were unable to resist the onslaught of the Asuric forces. In despair, they approached Lord Siva and entreated to give them an able leader under whose heroic leadership they might obtain victory over the Asuras. They surrendered themselves completely and prayed to Lord Siva sincerely.

The gracious Lord granted their request by creating mighty divine warrior, Lord Skanda, out of his own power or Achintya Sakti. This great son of Lord Siva at once assumed leadership of the celestial forces, originated them, inspired them and attacked the asuric forces. The asuras were routed and a glorious victory was gained by the Devas.

Generally people take a vow to offer a kavadi to the Lord for purpose of tiding over or averting a great calamity. For instance, if the devotee’s son is laid up with a fatal disease, he would pray to Shanmuga to grant the boy a lease of life in return for which the devotee would take a vow to dedicate a kavadi to Him.

Though this might on the face of it appear mercenary, a moment’s reflection will reveal that it contains in it the seed of love for God. The worldly object is achieved: and the devotee offers the kavadi.

After the ceremony is over, he gets so much intoxicated with love of God that his inner spiritual chamber is opened. This too ultimately leads to Para Bhakti - Supreme devotion.

Devotees prepare for the celebration by cleansing themselves through prayer and fasting. On the day of the festival, devotees will shave their heads undertake a pilgrimage along a set route while engaging in various acts of devotion, notably carrying various types of kavadi (burdens).

At its simplest this may entail carrying a pot of milk, but mortification of the flesh by piercing the skin, tongue or cheeks with vel skewers is also common.

The most spectacular practice is the vel kavadi, essentially a portable altar up to two meters tall, decorated with peacock feathers and attached to the devotee through 108 vels pierced into the skin on the chest and back.

Fire walking and flagellation may also be practised. It is claimed that devotees are able to enter a trance, feel no pain, do not bleed from their wounds and have no scars left behind. However, some of the more extreme masochistic practices have been criticized as dangerous and contrary to the spirit and intention of Hinduism.

Kavadi-bearers have to perform elaborate ceremonies at the time of assuming the kavadi and at the time of offering it to Lord Murugan. The kavadi-bearer observes celibacy and take only pure, Satwic food, once a day, while continuously thinking of god.

The simplest kavadi is a semi circular decorated canopy supported by a wooden rod that is carried on the shoulders, to the temple. In addition, some have a little spear through their tongue, or a spear through the cheeks.

The spear pierced through his tongue or cheeks reminds him constantly of Lord Murugan. It also prevents him from speaking and gives great power of endurance.

Other types of kavadi involve hooks stuck into the back and either pulled by another walking behind or being hung from a decorated bullock cart or more recently a tractor, with the point of incisions of the hooks varying the level of pain. The greater the pain the more god-earned merit.

The kavadi itself is steeped in mythology. At Mount Kailas, Lord Shiva entrusted the dwarf saint sage Agastya with two hillocks, with instructions to carry and install them in South India.

But the sage left them in a forest and later asked his disciple, Idumban to get them. Idumban found the two hillocks, but could not initially lift them, until he obtained divine help.

Near Palani in South India - where to this day there is a famous shrine of Murugan - Idumban put the hillocks down to rest awhile. When he attempted to continue with his journey, he found that the hillocks were immovable.

Idumban sought the help of a scantily dressed youth, but the youth claimed the hillocks belonged to him. In the ensuing scuffle, Idumban was defeated. Idumban then realised that the youth was Lord Murugan.

Idumban pleaded to be pardoned and asked that anyone who comes to the hills to worship Murugan with an object similar to the two hillocks suspended by a rod, may be granted his heart’s desire. Idumban’s wish was granted. And so the kavadi came to play its role in Hindu festivals.

Sri Lanka Embassy in US celebrates Thai Pongal

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington DC together with the Sri Lankan community in the Greater Washington area, celebrated Thai Pongal at a colorful ceremony at the Embassy on January 13, 2008.

A cross-section of the Sri Lankan Tamil community resident in the greater Washington area and representatives of the Sri Lanka-related associations in the area were present at the event.

Ambassador Bernard Goonetilleke who addressed the gathering, said that the Washington Embassy, during the past three years, had celebrated important religious festivals of the four major religions practised in Sri Lanka.

The Ambassador created the mood for the evening’s programme with his speech on the existence of Hinduism during pre-Buddhist times in Sri Lanka, the blending of Hinduism with Buddhism from the Polonnaruwa period onward, and its absorption into the religious fabric of Sri Lanka.

He enriched his speech with colorful descriptions of ancient pre-Buddhist Hindu temples such as Thiruketheeshwaram, Munneshwaram,Thondeeshwaram, Thirukoneeshwaram and Naguleshwaram, that existed in all four corners of the island.

Kanaga Ranganathan who conducted the Hindu prayers, spoke eloquently about the significance of Thai Pongal to Hindus and described in poignant detail how the Tamils of Sri Lanka celebrate the festival in traditional Sri Lankan style.

As a thanks giving festival to the Sun God, who brings prosperity to the universe, Thai Pongal is not confined to Hindus but to all living beings in the universe, she said.

‘Thai’ means the first month of the Tamil calendar. So it is the belief that prosperity comes along with the first month of the year on the Pongal day. Mrs Ranganathan expressed her appreciation at the tireless efforts the Ambassador has made during the past three years to celebrate all religions with all Sri Lankan communities in Washington DC, a small step that will, in its own significant way, boost the giant step needed to unify the communities in Sri Lanka.

Following this, the traditional Hindu oil lamp was lighted by Ambassador, followed by a program of devotional songs to Lord Ganesh, Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Lord Murugan and to mark Thai Pongal.

The religious rituals ended with the offering of Pongal to Lord Ganesh and other deities. At the reception that followed the religious ceremony, the refreshments served included an array of food traditionally associated with Thai Pongal.

As an unusual feature to the traditional program, a former South Indian actress Kasturi spoke to the gathering about her perspective of Thai Pongal as celebrated in South India.

Embassy of Sri Lanka, USA

Kumbabishegam

Aruna Ponnambalam Kotagala group correspondent

The restoration work on the historically famous Sri Seethai Amman Kovil at Seetha Eliya has been completed and Kumbabishegam will be held on January 28, Monday between 9.45 a.m. to 10.45 a.m. (auspicious time).

The “Palkudam” (Milk Vessel) ceremony with Swamigal Urualam (Deities procession) will commence from Nuwara Eliya town proceed towards Hawa Eliya Kovil at 7.00 a.m. on Sunday 27.

The Executive Committee of the Sri Muthumariamman Kovil Seetha Eliya had made necessary arrangements for the function.