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A
bazaar during Ramadan in India
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By
Danish A Khan, Special for IslamOnline
NEW
DELHI, November 5 (IslamOnline) - The holy month of Ramadan (or Ramzan
as people in this region pronounce it) holds a special significance for
the people of the Subcontinent. It is a period when the faithful not
only show piety and compassion but also try to send across a strong
message of communal harmony among the compatriots and their poor
brothers, especially in India.
Muslims
utilize lunar, Hijri, calendar in their reckoning of time where the day
starts just after nightfall and ends at the succeeding nightfall.
According to the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), it is mandatory
that the sighting of the new moon take place before starting the fast,
and failing to do that on the expected date, fast should begin the
following day.
During
Prophet Muhammad's time when there was confusion about starting the
month of Ramadan, the Prophet's verdict or advice was to start fasting
after marking the Ramadan crescent moon and to stop fasting after
marking the Shawwal (the ensuing month) crescent moon.
However,
scholars here point to the sighting of the new moon on different days in
distant geographic locations of the same country as a reason for non-
conformity of the fasting period.
Muslims
in the Subcontinent, particularly India, still follow the rules of the
local muftis, who insist on actual sighting of the moon by two reliable
Muslims in the region. They do not rely on the announcements made by
Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia, though, at times muftis may accept
the ruling of Pakistan's Hilal Committee (Crescent Sighting Committee).
As
such, there is a Hilal Committee in every city in India headed by a
mufti of imam of the grand mosque in the city. Besides, there is a
central moon-sighting committee in New Delhi, which decides and
announces the date after ascertaining the reliability of the persons who
claim to have sighted the moon. There are special telephone numbers on
which such information may be relayed.
The
sighting of the new moon is a social event in itself. It is a joyous
moment for every Muslim household in the country. From the evening
itself, hordes of children and elders could be seen on their rooftops to
catch a glimpse of the new crescent. The moment sighting of the new moon
takes place people raise both their hands for thanksgiving to the
Almighty and announce it to others. The enthusiasm is such that in the
sighting of the new moon is even welcomed by bursting of crackers. Once
the sighting is confirmed, sirens fitted in mosques go out for a few
minutes to give the good tiding.
Sometimes
the moon-sighting committee makes the much awaited announcement late in
the night and this is conveyed to the faithful through sirens and
loudspeakers fitted in almost all the mosques all over the country.
Radio and various television channels also broadcast this news once the
committee makes its announcement. Not only this, the mainstream and
regional media in the country also make it a point to allot a space to
publish the timings of fasting and suhur regularly.
However,
on occasions there had been conflict between muftis over the sighting of
the moon. In the same region, there had been reports of observing fast
and celebrating Eid on two different dates. But normally muftis try to
arrive at a consensus and avoid conflict which is resented by ordinary
Muslims.
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Premier
Vajpayee in an iftar party thrown last year by then Vice President
Krishan Kant
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People
are deluged with the congratulatory messages over the telephones.
Markets and streets are flooded with jubilant Muslims who descend to buy
eatables, especially dates and fruits, and other essentials to prepare
for the fasting and feasting month of Ramadan.
There
is a peculiar detail here. Arabs living here in India follow the Saudi
announcement of the beginning of Ramadan and celebration of Eid.
Besides, some people living in the southern Indian state of Kerala also
observe fasting and celebrate Eid like the Arabs do.
It
may also be pointed out that in Delhi, Arabs have their own mosques in
the posh Defense Colony locality of the national capital. Besides, a
mosque is also located in the Sudanese embassy compound in the
Diplomatic Enclave where Eid is celebrated usually one or two days ahead
of the Indian Muslims.
With
the sighting of the new moon, the faithful observe Tarawih
prayers just after the Isha (night) prayers. These are normally
20 rak'as, though some observe only eight. The Huffaz (those who
memorize the Holy Qur'an) take this opportunity to recite the whole
Qur'an during Tarawih. The Qur'an is usually completed in around
25 days. However, some Huffaz complete the Qur'an in three, five,
ten or fifteen days.
Tarawih
gives a golden opportunity to the Huffaz to revise what they
memorize of the Holy Qur’an. On the concluding day of the Tarawih
prayer, called Khatm, sweets are distributed and Huffaz
are honored and bestowed with gifts and rewards. The occasion provides a
grand spectacle that day when children can be seen queuing for receiving
sweets.
These
days some Arab Huffaz, especially from Egypt, visit various Indian
cities and people flock to hear their recitation of the Qur'an.
The
fasting begins with sihri (suhur) which is a light
breakfast shortly before dawn. Hence, the faithful are regularly
intimated about the timings of sihri. In the years bygone, there
used to be drum-beaters who used to do rounds of the locality and wake
up people for sihri. However, traditional methods are giving way
to modern ones.
Moreover,
there is lack of such people who have migrated elsewhere in search of
better livelihood. Now, sirens and loudspeakers in the mosque have
replaced the drum-beaters, and people are kept informed of the timings
at regular intervals until the end of the sihri time..
Ramadan
is a period when businessmen try to make fast buck. In Muslim localities
prices of eatables like fruits and dry fruits and other essentials soar
due to the increasing demand. Dates imported from Saudi Arabia, Iraq and
Iran are in great demand here since the faithful prefer to break their
fast with a couple of dates following the tradition of Prophet Muhammad
(SAW).
During
this pious month, nightlife comes alive and bustling especially in
Muslim localities, like the walled city of Old Delhi and particularly
around the vicinity of the famed Jama Masjid, which was built by the
Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.
An
air of festivity can be seen all around. People can be spotted jostling
around and vying with each other to have their bags full of shopping.
Glitter of plastic wares, glass bangles, aluminum paandaans (betel
cases), colorful arrays of skull caps, sensuous ittars
(non-alcoholic perfumes) - all provide a dazzling look.
The
smell of seekh kababs, Degchis of nahari and paaye
- tender trotters that have simmered all night in their own juices and
mouthwatering masalas, bowls of thick pudding - all invite the
faithful to break their fast with the sunset adhan (call for
prayer).
The
month of Ramadan also comes with its own mark of providing that extra
touch - the strengthening of communal bonds. It is a special occasion
for politicians who organize lavish iftar parties to woo Muslims.
This is period when politicians of all hues, from the prime minister to
ordinary aspirants, try to send across a message that the people of
India are one and tolerantl.
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