Taraweeh ( تراويح ) Prayers

During the month of Ramadhan it is tradition that Iftar (dinner) parties are thrown every evening around sun down to break the days fast with ones family and neighbors. After Iftar the men retreat to the Mosque and women to prayer rooms to begin their Maghrib prayers. (Maghrib is the 4th required liturgical prayer of the day for Muslim’s.) Later in the evening, well after sundown, there is another Adhan (call to prayer) from the Mosque loud speaker for the Eish’a prayers.

Eish’a is the 5th and final (required) liturgical prayer of the day. During the month of Ramadhan there are special prayers that proceed directly after the Eish’a prayers. These prayers are called Taraweeh ( تراويح ) and they require almost two hours for their completion every night. During Taraweeh prayers the congregation of the Mosque is lead by a Hafeez (One who has committed the entire Qur’an to their memory). The Hafeez will recite and take them through the entire Qur’an in Arabic during these thirty days according to Juz’ (جزء ). Juz’, being the Qur’an broken up into 30-parts to be read during the 30 days of Ramadhan. During the Juz’ recitation Sunni Muslim’s normally perform 20 Rak’at’s ( ركعات ) in pairs of two Rak’at’s with a short rest in between.

The completion of one Rak’ah looks a little like this:

Standing in prayer, one gives his/her Niyat (Intention before God) then he/she lift’s their hands to their ears and proclaims, "Allahu Akbar!" (God is Great!) After reciting a few prayers, everyone recites the first Surah of the Qur’an while in a standing position with their hands interlocked over their stomachs (hands interlocked over breasts for women). From this position one will bow while standing and proclaim 3x, "Subham arab biyal’ajim!" (Glory to our Lord the Great!) After this, one will stand upright again proclaiming "Allahu Akbar!" (God is Great!) Then the Imam (Prayer Leader/Priest) will say, "Sammi Allahu liman Hamidah" (God has heard all those who praise Him) at this, the congregation will together in unison say, "Rabbana lakal Hamd!" (Our Lord: Praise be to thee!) and at once, all-together bow all the way to the ground with their forehead’s touching the floor in Sajdah (Prostration). While prostrated with ones head to the ground one will proclaim 3x, "Subhan arrab biyal a’la!" (Glory to our Lord the Most High!) After this one will assume a sitting position with ones feet under him/her. From this position other prayers (parts of the Qur’an) will be recited and then the worshipper will return to Sajdah (Prostration) where he/she will recite again 3x, "Subhan arrab biyal a’la!" (Glory to our Lord the Most High!) When this is completed the worshipper will rise to his/her feet. At this, one Rak’ah has been completed. Thus, it is 20 of these Rak’at’s that are completed while reciting the Juz’ (parts) on a nightly basis to fulfill the requirements of the Sunnah (Law).

While some Sunnis might only do 8 or 12 Rak’at’s every night during Taraweeh, Shi’ah Muslim’s do not perform Taraweeh prayers at all. For Sunni Muslim’s this is Sunnat-e-Muakkadah (required according to the Law) and Jayez (That which is perfect in God’s eyes). For Shia’ah’s these Taraweeh prayers are seen as Bid’ah (Innovation), and therefore should not be followed. Thus making this one key contention between them.

Both the devout and laymen Sunni’s attend these prayers every year. In the Muslim community there is little that rivals the festivities and pride surrounding the fasting of Ramadhan and Taraweeh’s participation and completion.

It is my sincere prayer that all Muslim's praying Taraweeh, or any prayer during Ramadhan would be lead on the Siratul Mustaqeem (Straight Path). Straight into the arms of the Beloved!

Bearing one's heart...

As we seek the Divine there is much we can learn from those who have gone before us.

In these special days of life and breath that I now partake, my spirit is moved, as if a waterfall rushing towards its deepest cavern. As I read from the Doctor Illuminate, Ramon Lull, my admonition of Love is deeply challenged and stirred.

"What meanest thou by Love?" said the Beloved. And the Lover answered: "It is to bear on one’s heart the sacred marks and the sweet words of the Beloved. It is to long for Him with desire and with tears. It is boldness. It is fervour. It is fear. It is the desire for the beloved above all things. It is that which causes the Lover to grow faint when he hears the Beloved’s praises. It is that in which I die daily, and in which is all my will." -- Ramon Llull (1235-1316)

Doing Good in Thought and Deed!

"Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can." - John Wesley

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Phil 4:8

I pray that your day is full of this Good which comes from the source of Life, Light and Hope.

Iftar إفطار

Iftar, the evening meal which breaks the days fast. We are now several days into the Month of Ramadhan with the festivities in full swing.

Soon after the sun sets the Maghrib Adhan comes over the loud speaker and everyone is ready and prepared with their prayer. On the lips of every believer is this dua:

اللَّهُمَّ اِنِّى لَكَ صُمْتُ وَبِكَ امنْتُ وَعَلَيْكَ
تَوَكَّلْتُ وَعَلَىرِزْقِكَ اَفْطَرْتُ

Allahumma inni laka sumtu
Wa bika aamantu
Wa 'alayka tawakkaltu
Wa 'ala rizq-ika aftarthu

O God! I fasted for You and I believe in You and I put my trust in You and I break my fast with Your sustenance.

With a unison of "Amin's" together everyone partakes. As is tradition, the Iftar is broken with a succulent date palm. Today it is the wonderful date of Saudi Arabia. Then the water and juice begins to flow. The Lord's sustenance in the form of Chireh (sweet rice), cucumber, carrots, watermelon, fried potato- vegetable crisps, apples, grape fruit and chola-lentils with mouth watering seasoning of the finest Indian masala.

May the Almighty lead His Creation into all Truth as the Muslim seeks Him.

Searching for the Shaik

From village to town the trodden roads of a Murid's trail settling in the dust before the night fell. Train to bus and house to house their journey would lead them hundreds of miles beyond any doubts. Searching for the Shaik from Mosque to store, their research would take them right to his door.

Low and behold together they sat, stories and memories etched in ones cap. A whisper, a cry, a runaway train, Master's, Servants and sacrifice made. What our journeys behold, no man can explain, death that escapes us and lives that are changed.

Like the pain and the joy wove into one thread, life pours like a river shifting ones head. When starting from mire in darkness untold there is life in mere Word's that begin to unfold. Once hearing the Shaik there's decisions to be made, a commitment, a grasp, a birth to be gained.

A ha! I see it, the Spirit has come, a Kingdom uniting under One sun. While some not perceive it my eyes have now seen, the wind is now blowing and carrying me.

The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.

Experiencing our Answers

"Have patience with everything that remains unsolved in your heart. Try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books written in a foreign language. Do not now look for the answers. They cannot now be given to you because you could not live them. It is a question of experiencing everything. At present you need to live the question. Perhaps you will gradually, without even noticing it, find yourself experiencing the answer, some distant day."

- Rainer Maria Rilke

Ramadhan 1428

The fourth Rukn (Pillar) of Islam is the Saum (Fasting) of Ramadhan. Among the Five Pillars of Islamic Faith, it is often the month of Fasting that is perceived with both joy and angst. Joy in the festivities that abide and follow, and angst in the long days of incredible heat with no food or water during the daylight hours. It is a time to bring ones body into submission before their Creator, give to the poor, and seek spiritual guidance.

For Muslims, the 30-day fasting month of Ramadhan is not a freewill event. Instead, and along with - confession, 5x daily prayer, alms giving and the pilgrimage to Mecca once in ones life – fasting for 30 days is a requirement that every Muslim man and women starting at puberty must do annually.

Unlike any other time of the year, it is during Ramadhan that ones spiritual disposition and intentions are manifest in ones life. Beyond the abstinence of food and water there is a great longing to draw close to ones Creator God. The Real, The Absolute, The Giver of Life and Forgiveness. I cherish my time and interaction with my Muslim friends as their palpable passion for God, His Word, and prayer are center point in their homes and lives. There is so much to learn from cultural tradition and practice. The motives of mans hearts are laid bare.

Islamic History tells us that the Qur'an was revealed during the month of Ramadhan. And it is from the Qur'an that we will see it's initial guidance for the Fasting. This is what it says;

002.185 Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (Should be made up) by days later. God intends every facility for you; He does not want to put to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful.

002.186 When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me: Let them also, with a will, Listen to My call, and believe in Me: That they may walk in the right way.

002.187 Permitted to you, on the night of the fasts, is the approach to your wives. They are your garments and ye are their garments. God knoweth what ye used to do secretly among yourselves; but He turned to you and forgave you; so now associate with them, and seek what God Hath ordained for you, and eat and drink, until the white thread of dawn appear to you distinct from its black thread; then complete your fast Till the night appears; but do not associate with your wives while ye are in retreat in the mosques. Those are Limits (set by) God: Approach not nigh thereto. Thus doth God make clear His Signs to men: that they may learn
self-restraint. Al-Qur'an, 002.185-187 (Al-Baqara [The Cow])

One of the most significant aspects of fasting is the development of Taqwa (God-consciousness) in the heart and the soul of a fasting Muslim. Being obligatory to abstain from immoral behavior and attitudes as well. To abstain from food and such is essential during Ramadhan but it is not sufficient. It is reported in the Hadith that Hazrat Muhammad (S.w.t.) was to have said:

'If one does not abandon falsehood in words and deeds, God has no need for his abandoning of his food and drink.'(Al-Bukhari)

Around the world this fast is kept by Muslim's. They begin every day before sunrise by praying with one intention. "I intend to keep the fast today for the month of Ramadhan." In the night, when preparing to break the fast after sundown they begin the Iftar meal with this prayer, "O God, I fasted for you, I believe in you and I break my fast with your sustenance." While praying the 5x daily prayers, it is also Wajib (mandatory) to pray the Tarawih prayers in the evening on the last prayer of the night. During Tarawih prayers and over the course of 30 days, the entire Qu'ran is recited in the Mosque in Arabic by a trained Qari. Thus, everyone who enjoins these prayers will follow through the Qur'an in this thirty days.

With this coming to completion at the end of thirty days, everyone gathers for Eid. When together as a community everyone joins in unity on the first day of Shawwal. This special day is known as: Eid Ul Fitr. In India, at a local Eid Ga (prayer grounds) everyone joins for morning prayers known as Salat. Once the liturgical prayers have concluded, the Imam will then ascend the Minbar (Pulpit), and will deliver a Khutbah (sermon). The message is Wajib (mandatory) for the Muqtadis (follower) to hear. After a prayer of forgiveness and the well being of mankind the session is complete. Everyone rises to greet one another with hearty congratulations, hugs, and handshakes for their completion of the fast. From there, most everyone returns home to spend the entirety of the day feasting on lavish preparations of extraordinary cuisine.

Ramadhan is anticipated to start this year around the 13th of September should the new moon be seen according to the Lunar calender 1428.

There is much which lies ahead.