Celebratory Gunfire

Around two years ago I attended a Saudi wedding. It was of course a very lavish and posh affair as both the bride and the groom hailed from very well to do, elite families. I was invited from the Groom's side of the family and I recall whilst visiting his family home sitting in the company of the female members of the house, I suddenly heard this loud thud sound.I thought they were having a fire works display outside and I was all excited. Naturally I wanted to have a peek through the window as well. However, I was quite shocked to discover that it was not a fire works display but rather a couple of men firing gun shots in the air out of sheer happiness.It was a very strange sight for me to see. I was quite pleased to read in the newspaper that the "Minister of the Interior, Prince Ahmed stated on Saturday, that all Saudi Governorates are required to uphold the laws and regulations on banning public celebratory usage of live firearms in weddings and festivals.The Minister’s statement comes amid public concern over the phenomenal increase in the use of live firearms in weddings, which sometimes end in fatal accidents.Security Agencies including the Saudi Bureau of Investigation and Prosecution are ordered to pursue anyone involved in exercising public celebratory shooting of firearms. Violators of the Kingdom’s regulation laws on arms and ammunition are subject to a prison sentencing."

A side thought:

 My colleagues informed me that in Jordan and Yemen, the men also fire gunshots in the air during wedding celebrations or if someone in the community graduates from university.It is apparently a sign of tremendous happiness and jubilation.

Hajj 2012 Days 3 - 5

The third day of hajj was on Friday the 26th of October 2012. After performing the fajr prayers in Muzdalifa,  the pilgrims make their way to Mina for the stoning of the devil ritual (Ramy al Jamaraat). It is a symbolic event which is represented by three huge pillars. On the 3rd day of Hajj only the biggest pillar would be pelted at. After this stoning process, the pilgrims would then sacrifice an animal such as a lamb, goat or camel. Thereafter, the devotess would come out of the state of ihram by shaving off the hair in the case of men and clipping a small bit of hair in the case of females. The pilgrims would then proceed to Makkah to perform the tawaaf-e-ziyarah. Pilgrims would circumambulate the Kaabah in an anti- clockwise direction seven times. Thereafter they would perform two rakaats salaah behind the Maqaam -e -Ebrahim , drink water from the well of zam zam and then proceed to walk between the mountains of safa and marwa. The significance of walking between safa and marwa is to empathize with Hajra the wife of Prophet Ebrahim (as) and to feel her pain and suffering as she was searching for water in the desert for her son Ismail (as). She walked seven times between the mountains of Safa and marwa in distress until she finally seen the angel Gabriel digging the earth with his heels at the place of Zam zam and water began to flow.This act of running far and wide in search of water for her baby was loved by God Almighty that He made this act of running between safa and marwa compulsory for every man and woman who performs hajj.Allah mentions in the Quraan: “Behold! Safa and Marwa are among the Symbols of Allah” [Surah Baqara:158]

This is a perfect example of the status that is allocated to women in Islam.

The pilgrims then make their way to the tent city of Mina where they would spend the next two nights. On the 4th and 5th day of the Hajj process the devotees would systematically do the stoning of the three pillars that are a representation of Satan.They would first pelt the small pillar, followed by the medium one and then the biggest of them all. The act of stoning the devil (shaytan) commemorates the three attempts the devil made to prevent the Prophet Ibrahim (as) from sacrificing his son Ismail (as) . The Prophet rejected all three of the devil’s attempts, stoning him and driving him away. The three stone pillars mark the places where the failed temptations took place and the act of stoning signifies the Prophet Ibrahim’s constant obedience to God Almighty and the vanquishing of the devil.

On the fifth day of hajj which is the ultimate and final day, the pilgrims then make their way back to Makkah to perform the Tawaaf-e- Alwida or the farewell tawaaf. This final act of circumambulating around the house of Allah seven times marks the end of the Hajj process.

Hajj 2012 Day 2 - The day of Arafat

The second day of the Hajj ritual was on Thursday 25th of October 2012. The second day of hajj is known as Yown ul Arafat or the day of Arafat.On this day, the pilgrims leave Mina after dawn and make their way to the plains of Arafat for the culminating experience of the Hajj. Devotees would spend the entire day on the Plains of Arafat asking God Almighty for forgiveness and engaging in worship through the recitation of the Quraan and also through supplications. Muslims around the world would be in solitude with the Hujjaaj on this day by fasting for the entire day. After sunset, on the day of Arafat, pilgrims would make their way to Muzdalifa, situated halfway between the plains of Arafat and Mina. Here they would spend the entire night in the open under the star light engaging in prayer and worship and also collecting pebbles that would be used the following day. The video above was sent to me by Brother Madani Norzai and depicts a group of South African Hujjaaj on the plains of Arafat (Thursday 25th October 2012) begging God Almighty to accept all their prayers and to fulfill all their needs and desires.

Eid ul Adha Mubarak

Eid ul adha is usually a day that is spent in the company of family and friends. In our home everyone is usually awake at the time of fajr prayers. Mom starts preparing her breakfast meal whilst my brother and dad get ready for the morning Eid prayers that are usually held at the Eidgah. The eidgah is an open piece of land or in some countries it is an open mosque that is situated on the outskirts of the town or city. In our town the Eidgah is reserved specifically for the two eids only. This is of course weather permitting. After the morning Eid prayers, we usually have a few family members and friends over for a sumptuous breakfast. Mom usually prepares a wide variety of dishes ranging from a mixed platter of savouries for starters followed by the main meal which usually constitutes prawns, grilled whole fish, roast chicken with potatoes and salad. Of course the meal usually ends on a sweet note with an assortment of home made cakes and biscuits served with tea. After breakfast, the men usually set off to slaughter the sheep.This is known as udhiya or a blood sacrifice which is carried out solely for the pleasure of God Almighty.The sacrifice of an animal has always been a recognized form of worship in many religions, but in the ‘Shariah’ (Islamic sacred law) of our beloved Prophet (saw) the sacrifice of an animal has been recognized as a form of worship only during the three days of the month Zulhijjah, namely the 10th, 11th, and 12th . Allah Ta’ala says in the Noble Quran:
“Verily, We have granted you (O Muhammad ) Al- Kauthar (a river in paradise),So pray on to thy lord and sacrifice. For he who makes you angry will be cut off.”(Surah 10)
“And the camels! We have appointed them among the ceremonies of Allah, therein ye have good!”

Muslims across the globe perform the act of udhiya to commemorate the unparalleled sacrifice offered by Prophet Ebrahim (as). God almighty revealed to him a dream that he should sacrifice his son Ismail (as). Of course this was a test of submission from God Almighty. As the Prophet Ebrahim (as) was ready to sacrifice his son, God Almighty miraculously sent down a ram instead and hence saved Ismail (as) from his fate of slaughter. From that day onward it became obligatory for Muslims across the globe to sacrifice an animal. Of course there are many rules and regulations that apply to the whole slaughtering process. You can refer to this link for more info.(http://www.muftisays.com/blog/Seifeddine-M/2162_31-10-2011/some-important-fiqh-concerning-udhiya_qurbani-.html)

In our home, usually once the first sheep is sacrificed, it is cleaned immediately and the liver and legs are brought home to be prepared and cooked. Mom usually sautes the liver in ghee (clarified butter) after it is marinated with a few spices. The legs are usually prepared for dinner as it does take some time to cook. The rest of the meat is usually divided into three parts. One third we keep for ourselves, one third gets distributed amongst family and friends and the remaining one third is given to the poor within the community. The meat can be distributed amongst Muslims and Non Muslims. Once the slaughtering process is over, we usually head over to my maternal grandmother's house for lunch. The afternoon meal usually comprises of a sweet dish like Jardo (sweet rice) or sojee (cooked vermicilli) followed by a rice dish called Biryani. The meal is usually accompanied with a variety of salads and pickles. Four o clock tea is a 'must' in our family and so mom's sister usually bakes a variety of cakes and cookies for tea time. Home made ice creams and desserts are also prepared to cater for those guests who do not wish to have tea. After spending some time with mom's side of the family, we then make our way to visiting the paternal side of the family for dinner. Dad has a huge family made up of 7 brothers (including dad) and two sisters. Each brother takes a turn to host the entire family. The gathering is either held at home or sometimes a venue is booked for the function.Last year, my family played host for the annual Eid ul Adha family gathering. We had the function at the beautiful and tranquil Victorian Guest House situated a stones throw away from our family home. We had a barbeque for 150 guests that was arranged by Unusual Functions and also hired Mr. Herman the Magician to entertain our guests. Each family left the venue with a beautiful four piece Mug and stand set as a rememberance of the event.It was definitely a fun-filled, entertaining evening that my family and I will cherish forever.

Desert Moon would now like to take the opportunity in wishing all Muslims across the globe a very happy and blessed Eid ul Adha. May the coming year be filled with happiness, peace and prosperity. Ameen!