ISLAM
 Islam
is an Arabic word meaning both 'Submission to God' and 'peace'.
Prophet Mohammed founded Islam. He was born in 570 A.D. at
Mecca (now in Saudi Arabia) and got his first revelation of
'Allah' (God) in 610 A.D. All these revelations or visions
are compiled in the 'Quran' - the Muslim holy book. The sayings
of Muhammad which were distinguished from the words of god,
were collected and are known as 'Hadith', the second most
important source of Islam. Unlike Hinduism, Prophet Mohammed
preached against idol worship and even today the Muslims believe
that the search of God through images is a sin. Friday is
the holy day for Muslims and the main mosque in each town
is known as Jamma Masjid. The spiritual goal of each Muslim
is to make the pilgrimage to Mecca (the Hajj) and to become
a Hajji.
The Arabs called Muhammad, 'Al-Amin' or 'The trustworthy
man' and respected him greatly. But when god sent through
him the first message of Islam, there was stiff opposition
against Muhammad from all sides. The opposition kept mounting,
so Muhammad was forced to leave Mecca in 622AD. It is from
this year that the Muslim calendar starts. Muhammad arrived
in Medina where people listened to Muhammad and accepted
him as a true prophet. The people in other towns challenged
those who had already become Muslims and war became inevitable.
However, when Muhammad died in 632AD, not only the whole
of Arabia had embraced Islam but also his religion called
the Perfect Religion was fast spreading in many lands.
India saw numerous conversions to Islam during 1200 to 1707
A.D. (the era of Muslim domination), which were of two types
- (i) those forced by foreign invaders and (ii) those that
took place voluntarily by members of lower castes &
other sections. The third category of Indian Muslims consists
of foreigners who came here & settled down during invasions.
The first clash between Hindus and Muslims came in the 12th
century when Muhammad of Ghazni & Mohammed Ghori carried
out a succession of raids. They constitute only 10% of the
country's population and are India's largest minority community.
The Hindus and Muslims were united until Independence when
there was an unhappy division of the nation into India &
Pakistan. The Hindu-Muslim interaction is bitter in some
regions but their influences on each other have produced
a culture, extraordinarily rich in music, architecture,
literature and cuisine.
 Islam
believes that each person is born pure. The Holy Quran tells
us that God has given human beings a choice between good and
evil and to seek God's pleasure through faith, prayer and
charity. Islam believes that God created mankind in His image
and by imbuing the attributes of God on a human level mankind
can attain His nearness. Islam's main message is to worship
God and to treat all God's creation with kindness and compassion.
Rights of parents in old age, orphans and the needy are clearly
stated. Women's rights were safeguarded 1,400 years ago when
the rest of the world was in total darkness about emancipation.
Islamic teachings encompass every imaginable situation and
its rules and principles are truly universal and have stood
the test of time.
Islam is strictly wedded to monotheism. Allah is the only
God and has no partners. Worships directed at saints, prophets
and other human beings are considered idolatry. Islamic
doctrines are based on 4 fundamental principles or Usul;
Quran or Koran, Sunnah (Traditions), Ijma (consensus) and
Ijtihad (Individual thought). Basic 5 pillars of Faith in
Islam are; Shahada (affirmation), Salat (prayer), Zakat
(alms-giving), Siyam (fasting) and Hajj (pilgrimage). It
is mandatory to offer prayers dutifully and respectfully,
donate for charitable purposes, observe fasts during month
of Ramadan and perform Hajj. Islam teaches that the path
to spiritual development is open to all. Any individual
who searches the One Creator can seek nearness to God through
sincere and earnest worship; it is central to establishing
a relationship with the Almighty. This positive message
for humanity fills hearts with hope and courage.
The mystics of Islam, known as 'Sufis', played an important
part in spreading the message of universal love and toning
down the aggressive trends in Islam. Islam's spirit of brotherhood
helped in loosening the rigidity of the caste system. It
will be observed that the cultures of the Muslims in various
parts of the world have remained unchanged. This proves
that Islam never attempted to uproot people from their own
cultures. On the other hand, it has allowed them to nurture
their culture within the broad framework of the basic beliefs
and practices.
FESTIVALS
Ramzan:- Ramzan is the ninth month in
the Islamic Calendar(Lunar calendar, based on the moon)
Year, a month when the "Holy Koran or Quran" was
revealed up from heaven by Allah for human beings in 615
AD, as a guidance and declaration. The practice of fasting
during Ramadan is called "Sawm". To start fasting
one has to sight the crescent of the new moon with ones'
naked eyes. It is a period of worship and contemplation.
Muslims usually go to the Masjid and spend hours studying
the Quran and recite a special prayer called the Taraweeh
(Night Prayer) in addition to the 5 daily prayers. Throughout
the world, Muslims observe the Ramzan month by fasting and
through increased concentration for purification of soul
to increase closeness with God. It is a period of worship
and contemplation. On the 27th evening, Muslims celebrate
the Laylat-al-Qadr (Night of Power) with the believe that
on this day in 610 AD, the Holy Quran was revealed providing
guidance, teaching, direction to all and also judging between
wrong and right. Moreover this day is believed to have influenced
the course of the year.
Muharram: - Muharram mourns the Karbala
tragedy when Imam Husain, grandson of Prophet Muhammad,
was martyred in the early days of Islamic history. It is
observed in different ways in various parts of India. Profusely
decorated taziyas (bamboo and paper replicas of the martyr's
tomb), embellished with gilt and mica are carried through
city streets. Mourners beat their breasts lamenting and
grieving over the murder, accompanied by drum beats. Wrestlers
and dancers enact scenes depicting the battle at Karbala
and at each step young men beat their breasts crying "Husain!
Husain!" in collective sorrow.
Shab-E-Barat: - The festival of Shab-E-Barat
is celebrated with pomp and enthusiasm by Muslims all over
the world. For, Muslims believe that on the night of Shab-E-Barat
god writes the destinies of all men for the coming year
by taking into account the deeds committed by them in the
past. The festival is celebrated held either on the thirteenth
or on the fourteenth day of Shaban, the eighth month of
the Muslim year. This happens to be fifteen days before
the beginning of Ramzan. Shab-E-Barat means the night of
forgiveness or Day of Atonement. People pray to god both
in preparation for Ramadan and for the forgiveness of the
sins committed by them. The festival is also known as Boraks
Nigh. Skies light up on the night of Shab-E-Barat as the
festival is celebrated in the night. Houses and streets
are also illuminated by candles and strands of electric
bulbs to provide a joyful ambiance to the festival.
Eid-Ul-Fitr:- Eid-ul-Fitr, popularly known
as the "Festival of the Breaking of the Fast",
occurs as soon as the new moon is sighted at the end of
the month of fasting, namely Ramzan. The festival is intended
to be a festive and joyous occasion. Special foods and delicacies
are prepared for the day and are distributed to neighbours
and friends. On this festival the people, having previously
distributed the alms, assemble in the vast Idgah, and, being
led by the Imam, recite prayer. The idgah is a large place
especially set aside for the large congregations who will
attend the special Eid prayer early in the morning and can
be an open field or flat piece of ground. Islam follows
a unique approach in celebrating Eid. After the namaz, Muslims
are supposed to celebrate the day in a responsible manner,
greeting one another at home and in the neighbourhood.
Id-ul-Zuha (Bakr-Id):- Also called Bakrid,
Id-ul-Zuha, is a festival of great rejoice. Special prayers
and exchange of greetings and gifts marked the Id-ul-Zuha
(Bakrid), the festival of sacrifice, celebrated with traditional
fervour and gaiety in India. Id-ul-Zuha is a reminder of
Prophet Ibrahim's readiness to sacrifice his son for God's
sake. It also marks the completion of Haj (pilgrimage to
Mecca). On this day, special `Dua' is recited by thousands
of muslims for peace and prosperity. On Bakrid, the Muslims
go to the mosques in the morning to offer prayers to Allah.
And then sacrifice the animal at home. A full-grown camel,
cow, goat or sheep, free from any disease, is sacrificed.
Bakrid is also a day for feasting and visiting friends to
say Id Mubarak.
Eid-E-Miladulnabi: - The festival of Eid-e-Miladulnabi
is also popularly known as Barah Wafat the twelfth day.
The day commemorates the birth and also the death of Prophet
Mohammed. Bara Wafat falls on the twelfth day of the third
month Rabi-ul-Awwal in September/October. Here, Barah or
twelve, stands for the twelve days of the Prophets sickness.
The celebrations of birthday are subdued as the day also
happens to be the death anniversary of Prophet Muhammad.
The day is marked by holding religious discourses, reading
the Holy book of Quran and giving alms to the poor.
ISLAM PILGRIMAGE
SITES
Ajmer Sharif, Rajasthan: - The final resting
place for 'Gharib-Nawaz', Moinuddin Chishti is located in
Ajmer. People of all religions visit the Dargah of Khwaja
Moinuddin Chishti. The Khwaja left for heavenly abode in
1256 AD after a six day prayer in seclusion. These six days
are celebrated every year as the annual Urs, which is attended
by innumerable pilgrims irrespective of their faith. The
shrine is considered to be a place of wish fulfillment for
those who pray with devout and pure hearts. It is said that
Emperor Akbar sought blessings for his son at the Dargah.
The simple tomb in which in the saint was buried has now
grown in to a large complex with several mosques, pavillions
and gateways. With in the complex Qawwals sing songs in
praise of the saint. Their musical instruments provide the
Rhythm while the khadims (servants of the saint) look after
the tourists. When devotees prayers are answered, they offer
chadar (cover) on the grave of the saint.
Jama Masjid, Delhi: - Situated in the
center of the old Delhi, Jama Masjid was contructed by Emperor
Shahjahan between 1644 and 1658. Constructed in yellow sandstone,
it reflects the architectural style of both Hindu and Muslim.
It stands on 260 pillars, supporting 15 domes at varying
elevations. Its huge gateway looks down at you like fastidious
connoisseur from an immense platform which has steps that
lead up to it. It is the country's largest mosque, where
thousands of Muslims offer prayers. It lies opposite the
Red Fort and is surrounded by a large number of shops, which
deal in a variety of goods. The great mosque of Old Delhi
is both the largest in India and the final architectural
extravagance of Shah Jahan with a courtyard capable of holding
25,000 devotees.
Haji Ali, Mumbai: - Honoring the Muslim
saint Haji Ali this mosque was built in the middle of the
sea with only a narrow path leading to it giving it an ethereal
look. As per the Muslim traditions separate praying rooms
for ladies and gents are provided here to pay their respects.
It is set 500 yards into the sea and can be reached only
in low tide. The Haji Ali mausoleum has an offshore location,
opposite the Mahalakshmi racecourse. During high tide, the
connecting causeway is submerged in water giving the impression
that the mosque and tomb are floating out at sea in splendid
isolation. This is The Haji Ali Dargah, the floating tomb
of a wealthy Mohammedan merchant who renounced his worldly
ways before embarking on a pilgrimage to Mecca. The structure
has typical white, Mughal domes and minarets. Although it
is a famous Muslim pilgrimage site, non-Muslim visitors
are welcomed. The shrine looks its best when seen from the
shore silhouetted against the setting sun.
Fatehpuri Sikri, Uttar Pradesh: - Fatehpur
Sikri is the imperial city of the Mughal dynasty. It is
very difficult to express the architectural grandeur of
this city as one can only experience the aura of these forts.
Famously known as the city of Ghosts, it was built by the
Great Mughal Emperor. Fatehpur Sikri is one of the finest
examples of Mughal architectural splendour at its height.
Though the city is in ruins, it is a place to visit if one
comes to Agra. But in real terms Fatehpur Sikri is a place
where one should spend some time. The sunset over the ruins
is sight to cherish. Fatehpur Sikri is the best example
of the culmination of Hindu and Muslim architecture. The
finest monuments within this area are the Diwan-i-Am, Diwan-i-Khas,
Panch Mahal, Buland Darwaza and the tomb of Saint Sheikh
Salim Chishti, and the Jama Masjid (one of the largest mosques
In India).
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