Religion

Islam

The importance of co-prayers

Mohammed Naalir

Allah presented the prayers as a gift to the Muslims during his Mihraj Tour. The prayers are the way of approaching Almighty Allah and during the prayers one directly talks to Allah. The Prayers have the giant power and is a powerful weapon of a real Muslim.

A Muslim must pray five times a day which is the only means to approach Almighty Allah. Prayers are the key to heaven. Those who refrain from praying have no place in Islam.

A real Muslim must compulsorily pray five times a day. There is no excuse for ignoring prayers. Those who reject five time prayers a day will go to hell. The five time prayers must be carried out on. A child when he or she attend the age of seven must start engaging prayers.

Allah says in the Holy Quran that prayers are the medicine for all grievances and if one plead with Allah in his prayers he will be provided with everything and he will be entitled for jannathul firdouse. Allah says to ask protection through prayers. Allah is the most beloved one, than a mother.

There are several kinds of prayers such as farlu (compulsory), sunnath prayers (not compulsory), prayers of gratitude, thasbheeh prayers, thahajjath prayers, luha prayers, tharavih prayers, withr prayers, prayers before the five time prayers and after the prayers and several other prayers to pay homage to Allah.

During prayers one must face the western horizon where the Holy Kibla, the main focal point prayers is located in Holy Makkah. The Kibla depicts the unity and policy of Muslims.

The five-time prayers must be carried out in time of the Azan (call for prayers). The prayers can be chanted in a clean place occasionally while engaged in any work.

The place must be pure else the prayers would not be accepted by Allah. Anyhow the Hadees of Prophet Muhammad (advice, approval and action) says that conducting prayers in Jamaath (in cluster) is the most desirable one.

As Islam is a universal religion it emphasises co-prayers.

Co-prayers shows symbol of unity among Muslims.

Ibnu Umar (Rali) says as Prophet Muhammad said Allah grant a favour by 27 folders more for co-prayers than praying alone (evidence Buhari and Muslim). Over this Hadees it could be imagine Allah wishes the unity among Muslims and emphasises the co-prayers to confirm the unity among Muslim community.

Abu Huraira (Rali) (friend of Prophet Muhammad) says that certain Hadees of Prophet Muhammad depict that 25 per cent favour could be obtained over co-prayers in mosques.

If one leave for mosque from his home taking Wulu, Allah upgrades his position for every footstep towards the Mosque.

All of his sins will be pardoned for each of his step. After the prayers as long as he is with Wulu the messengers of Allah ask Allah for his betterment.

Prophet Muhammad's Hadees collection Buhari says that the time one wait for prayers is also considered as him conducting prayers.

Prophet Muhammed's friend Abu Huraira (Rali) says that a blind person who approached Prophet Muhammad explained him there is nobody to bring him to mosque for prayers.

He asked for permission to pray in his home and prophet Muhammed who listened to him permitted him to conduct prayers five times in his home.

When he returned after completing his prayers Prophet Muhammed called the blind person and questioned whether he heard the Azan (call for the prayers)? the man replied yes. Prophet Muhammad said you must reply the call (evidence Al Muslim). That means he must fulfil prayers in the mosque.

This Hadees of Prophet Muhammad says even if one is blind he should go to Mosque for prayers if he hears the Azan (call for the prayers).

Once one of the friends of Prophet Muhammad said that there are poisonous insects animals in Madina town and asked permission to fulfil prayers at home. Then Prophet Muhammad said if you hear Haialassalah (hurry up for prayers) you must come to the Mosque for prayers.

We can come to a conclusion that whatever the difficulties between the Mosque and home if one hears the Azan he must come to the Mosque. That is the will of Allah. Ibnu Masooth (Rali) says that if you want to meet Allah in the Mahzar be respectful and obey the places where the Azan is heard.

Almighty Allah has given a straight error free path to Prophet Muhammad. The Jamaath prayers are also one of the straight ways.

Abudarda (Rali) says as Prophet Muhammad said if there are three persons in the village of the jungle co-prayers must be carried out. If they fail to conduct Jamath prayers the Satan will dominate them. So make it compulsory to conduct Jamath prayers.

The cattle loitering alone can easily be hunted by the wolf.

Madarasathul Malharissulhiya, (Islamic Religious School) Maligawatte, celebrated its 48th anniversary in March 2008. This Madarasa was established in 1960 and presently there are 227 students and four Moulavi Teachers. They are studying Quran, Hadees, Hifl and Islamic History at this institution. Also they are conducting Tharaveeh Prayers and Hizbu Majlis to train young students on recital of Holy Quran during the Ramazan. They have decided to conduct spoken English and Computer Classes in the near future for needy children. The 48th year prize giving was held at Madarasa Auditorium. Petroleum and Petroleum Resources Development Minister A.H.M. Fowzie was the chief guest and All Ceylon Jamiyathul Ulama Treasurer Moulavi Al Haj. A.L.M. Kaleel was the guest of honour. Picture by Ruzaik Farook, Colpetty Correspondent

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Hinduism

Book launch Saivaism in India

V. Varathasuntharam

The launch of a Sri Lankan Tamil religious book under the title Nanthi Kodiyin Mukkiyathuwamum Perumaigalum (The Significance and Glory of Nanthi Flag), a compendium of articles on 'Nanthi' by S. Dhanabalaa, the Vice President of All Ceylon Hindu Congress, at the Fourth International Saiva Sinddhanda Conference on March 22 in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, under the auspices of Tharumapuram Atheenam, is of great significance and a singular honour not merely to the author but to the Hindu community in Sri Lanka.

I see Mr. S. Dhanabalaa, the author, who is also a senior Vice President of the Colombo branch of the World Saiva Council and a trustee of several Hindu associations in Sri Lanka as a staunch Saivaite, who has strived hard with undeterred determination and dedication for several years to promote the Nanthi flag, which symbolises not merely the religion of the Hindus but beyond that all the lofty values and virtues that Nanthi stands for.

It is in Fact amazing to find that this volume has been compiled not on a single day or on a few occasions but over a period of a decade sequel to S. Dhanabalaa's venture to motivate knowledgeable people to articulate about Nandhi, and to get their views published in the media from time to time with the view to promote and propagate the hoisting of Nandhi flag at homes, temples, public places and on all religious occasions.

This book portrays that the Nanthi is the vehicle of Lord Shiva and that Lord Shiva himself had held Nanthi Flag even when he gave darshan to his devotees. This book stresses that Nanthi itself is Lord Shiva, the Almighty God of the Saivaites. There are several quotations from Thirumanthiram to support this view.

A cursory glance will reveal that this volume has about fifty six articles and messages by men and women from different walks of life scholars, religious dignitaries, priests, educationist, representatives of religious bodies, and laymen from all parts of the world.

The articles are written from different perspectives of Hindu mythology, philosophy, history, religion, sociology and so on. One can say without being contradicted that this is really an enriching volume.

What struck me most in this volume is the contribution by no less a person than Justice C.V. Wigneswaran, where in he states that the Nanthy flag while portraying the identity of the Hindus, teaches great virtues such as tolerance, patience, detachment, humility etc among the people.

Justice Wigneswaran vividly depicts the recumbent bull and drives home to us the philosophic truth, it signifies in choicest langauge.

In fact Justice C.V. Wigneswaran sums up that the Nanthi flag encapsulates the essence of Hindu Savia thoughts.

Professor Dr. S.N. Kanthasamy of Tanjavur, Tamil Nadu narrates how Saint Manikkavacagar portrays Lord Shiva holding Nanthi flag through a dialogue with a parrot in one of his celebrated hymns. In fact, Professor Kanthasamy quotes the following English translation of Thiruvasagam by Dr. G.U. Pope.

"Green parrot of the grove
Declare what banner
The glorious waves
Above the king of
Perunthurai's water pure?
Aloft
The Stainless banner
of the bull
Resplendent gleams
In beauty manifests
While foes flee far"

Professor Ratnasabapathy of Chennai, is of the view that it is the bounden duty of every Hindu to collect, comprehend and learn all about Nandhi and then here is S. Dhanabalaa rising to the occasion.

The author says that the Nanthi flag was a concept conceived by none other than his father S.D. Sinnadurai, who had left a strong imprint on the social and cultural life of Sri Lanka as a businessman, a dedicated Hindu, a social worker and a philanthropist and as one who had strived all his life for communal amity in this country.

It is a strange coincidence that this book on Nandhi is released at a prestigious International Saiva Conference in Tamil Nadu on the day of remembrance March 22 of his father Late S.D. Sinnadurai, who had been hailed as Gandhi Sinnathurai.

The colourful and impressive cover page depicts the Nandhi flag, Head of the Dharmapuram Atheenam receiving the Nanthi flag and the sacred Sivalingam installed in the historic Thiruketheswaram temple.

It is appropriate that the author has dedicated this book to his parents Sinnadurai and Saupakiyam who had imbibed this zeal, spirit and devotion to Hindu faith in him. As usual, Manimekalai Prasuram, which has published 9 of my books, has brought out this volume quite attractively.

The layout of the cover page is very impressive. My good friend Ravi Thamilvannan needs our praise for the meticulous care with which this collection has been published. It is relevant here to refer to a note of caution struck by Rev. Alasstair R. McGlashan. He cautions that the widespread use of Nandhi Flags should not encourage an exclusive or aggressive loyalty. What a sensible suggestion! How far sighted he is!

This volume on Nandhi Flag is pregnant with exalted thoughts. It is a rare collection by the author.

Let the Nanthi Flag personify the spirit of tolerance, sacrifice, service and the philosophic truth of our religion.

May the Lord bless the whole world with eternal peace and goodwill!
 

Sri Sathya Sai Baba Centre of Colombo donated lences to some patients of the Colombo National Eye Hospital recently at a function held at the Sai Shrine, Kotahena in Colombo. Here, social worker S. Selvaraja (right) who sponsored the donation handing over the lences to N.P.J. Sugathapala (left) of Maharagama. President of the Sai Baba Centre S.N. Udhaya Nayaham (left) and social worker K.P. Eswara Nathan were also present.

Sri Lanka Justices of Peace Human Rights Organisation celebrated its third annual anniversary at Taj Airpot Garden Hotel recently. Here Tissa Attanayake UNP, General Secretary presents the Desha Bandu national award to Rev. Bala Ravisankara Sivachariyar and greeting him.

The president of All Ceylon Hindu Development Society Swamy Thandiradeva Maharaj visited Karativu recently. Swamy Thandiradeva is delivering religious speech in Palayadi Vaalavickneswaran temple, Karativu. Picture by V.T. Sahadevarajah Karativu Group Corr.