Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim - SubhanAllah - Alhamdulillah - Laaa IlahaIllallahu - Allahu Akbar
'Assalamu-alykum-wa-rahmatullaahi-wa-barakatuh!'

Friday, December 18, 2009

Naya Saal 1 Muharram Mubarak

Naya Saal 1 Muharram sabako Mubarak

♥ Dil me Rehane walon ko♥,
♥♥♥Dil♥Se♥♥♥,
Naya Saal♥♥,
1 Muharram♥♥,
♥♥Mubarak♥♥

Muharram

Muharram

The first month in the Islamic calendar

Contrary to popular belief, Muharram is not a particular day, but the name of a month that marks the beginning of the year according to the Islamic calendar. Muharram is one of four months that have been designated as holy according to the Islamic calendar, the other three being - Dhul-Qa'adah, Dhul-Hijjah and Rajab.


Fasting in the month of Muharram

Fasting is advocated in the month of Muharram. The Prophet is believed to have said: "The best fasts after the fasts of Ramadan are those of the month of Muharram." Although the fasts of the month of Muharram are not obligatory, yet one who fasts in these days out of his own will is entitled to a great reward by Allah Almighty. Fasting on the tenth day of Muharram, called Ashura, is particularly important, as it supposed to lead to great rewards. A person does not have to fast for the whole month. On the contrary, each fast during this month has merit.

Here are some activities that are recommended for the day of Ashurah:

1. To observe fast on this day.
2. To give as much charity as you can afford.
3. To perform Nafl Salat prayers.
4. To recite Surah Ikhlas 1000 times.
5. To visit and be in the company of pious Ulema.
6. To place a hand of affection on an orphan's head.
7. To give generously to one's relatives.
8. To put surma in one's eyes.
9. To take a bath.
10. To cut one's nails.
11. To visit the sick.
12. To establish friendly ties with one's enemies.
13. To recite Dua-e- Ashurah
14. To visit the shrines of Awliyas and the graves of Muslims.


Muharram - an auspicious time

The month of Muharram is also associated with many auspicious events in Islamic history. Allah is supposed to have created the heavens and the earth on this blessed day. On this day He give His infinite blessings and bounties to many of His Prophets and delivered them from the clutches of their enemies.

Allah created Hazrat Adam in this month and pardoned him of his mistake. Hazrat Noah's Ark landed successfully on Mount Judi during this time centuries ago. God is also said to have saved Hazrat Ibrahim from fire and rescued Hazrat Musa from the Pharaoh during the month of Muharram.

You must be wondering what there is to mourn about then? The tenth day of Muharram or Ashura is of supreme importance for Shia Muslims as they celebrate the death anniversary of Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.


The tragedy at Kerbala

In the month of Muharram many centuries ago, (approximately October 20th 680 A.D.), an event took place in Iraq at a place known as Kerbala on the bank of the river Euphrates.

A large army, which had been mobilised by the Umayyad regime, besieged a group of persons numbering less than a hundred and put them under pressure to pay allegiance to the Caliph of the time and submit to his authority. The Caliph was a man much taken with earthly pleasures that deviated from the Islamic way of life. The small group resisted and a severe battle took place in which they were all killed. The leader of the small band of men who were martyred in Kerbala was none other than Imam Husain, the grandson of the Holy Prophet.

Imam Husain's martyrdom at Kerbala represents a conscious confrontation with anti-Islamic forces and a courageous resistance for a sacred cause. The tragedy was that the one who stood up to defend Islam was cut down in so cruel a manner. It is for this reason that the death of Imam Husain is mourned annually in the Muslim world.


Mourning rites

On Ashura, the Muslims take out processions carrying colourfully decorated taziyas (bamboo and paper replicas of the martyr's tomb) embellished with gilt and mica. Colourful replicas of Imam Husain's tomb at Kerbala are also carried in procession and buried at an imitation Karbala. The mourners walk barefoot to the beat of drums. In a frenzy of grief, they beat their chests and cry out the name of Husain. They sometimes even flagellate or whip themselves, drawing blood. Wrestlers and dancers enact scenes depicting the battle at Kerbala. While many Muslims take to the streets to mourn, there are some families that retain personal mourning houses.

Lucknow, being the centre of Shia culture and religious activities, observes the rites of mourning with great passion. In places other than Lucknow, the taziyas are taken out and buried in the local burial ground known as Karbala.

Sunni Muslims may also commemorate Husayn's death but in a less demonstrative manner, concentrating instead on the redemptive aspect of his martyrdom.

THE MONTH OF MUHARRAM

With the sighting of the new moon the Islaamic new year is ushered in. The first month Muharram is one of the four sacred months that Allah has mentioned in the Holy Qur’aan:

Lo.’ The number of the months with Allah is twelve months by Allah ‘s ordinance in the day that He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are
sacred: that is the right religion. So wrong not yourselves in them. (9:36)

The specification of these four sacred months is stated in a hadeeth narrated by Abu Bakrah radhiyallahu anhu ; Verily time has completed its cycle and returned to its original stage as it was on the day Allah created the heavens and the earth. The year consists of twelve months, four of which are sacred. Three of them occur consecutively; Zil Qa’dah, Zil Hijjah and Muharram , (the fourth being) Rajab of Mudhar (named after the tribe of Mudhar as they used to respect this month) which occurs between Jamadiul Aakhir and Sha’baan. (Bukhari Vol.2 Page 622)

From out of the four sacred months, Muharram has been blessed with certain specific virtues. The Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: The best of fasts besides the month of Ramadhaan is the fasting of Allah’s month of Muharram and the best of salaat besides the fardh (compulsory) salaat is the tahajjud salaat (performed after midnight before dawn). Muslim Vol.1 Page 368

In another hadeeth, Ibne Abbas radhiyallahu anhu reports that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: He who fasts on the day of Arafah (9th Zil Hijjah), his fast will be a compensation for the sins of two years and the one that keeps a fast in the month of Muharram will receive the reward of thirty fasts for each fast (in this sacred month). Tabraani, At Targheeb WatTarheeb Vol.2 Page 114.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Id-E-Milad


Id-e-Milad-un-Nabi



Id-e-Milad-un-Nabi is an important religious festival of Muslims. It is the birthday celebration of Prophet Muhammad. Prophet Muhammad was born on the 12th day of Rabi-ul-Awwal (third month of the Muslim year). During this festival, the Muslims of all age groups visit mosques and offer special prayers to Allah for the welfare of the faith and the remission of all sins. At the end of the prayer, learned men deliver sermons focusing on life and noble deeds of the Prophet.

Barah Wafat

The Prophet was born on the twelfth day of Rabi-ul-Awwal. This is the third month of the Muslim year. The word 'barah' standing for the twelve days of the Prophet's sickness. On such days, there are sermons which are delivered in mosques by learned men. These sermons concentrate on the life and noble deeds of the Prophet.

In some places, a ceremony known as 'sandal 'rite is performed. This is done over the symbolic footprints of the Prophet which is engraved in the stone. A representation of 'buraq', which is a horse on which the Prophet is believed to have gone to heaven and this is kept near the footprints of the prophet. The foot is also anointed with sandal paste or scented powder. The house and casket having all of these are elaborately decorated. There are elegies or 'marsiyas' which are sung in memory of the last days of the Prophet. The twelfth day which is also known as the Urs is observed in prayers and alms-giving quietly.

Id-e-Milad is a festival which has both rejoice as well as mourning. The festival of Id-e-Milad which is also known as Barah Wafat festival, is is one of the important festivals among the Muslim community. This day commemorates the birth and the death anniversary of Prophet Mohammed. This festival usually falls on the twelfth day of the third month Rabi-ul-Awwal of the Muslim calendar. This is usually in September and October. The word 'barah' tells about the twelve days of the Prophet's sickness and during these twelve days, priests and learned men deliver sermons and Koranic texts in mosques. In India, however, the Id-e-Milad celebrations mainly consist of street processions and functions. Here Nats (poems praising the Prophet and his noble deeds) are sung and scholars preach sermons on the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet.

In some parts of the country, a 'sandal' rite is also performed. Prophet Mohammed, son of Abdul Muttalib, of the Qureysh tribe, was born at Mecca in 570AD. From about 610 AD, he began to receive revelations sent down from Allah through angel Gabriel. He spread the word among people, and soon had a small community of followers. Later Islam became one of the most popular religions of the world. In 632 AD, Prophet Muhammad went on a pilgrimage to Mecca followed by thousands of his devotees, where he preached his farewell sermon and later left the mortal world forever. The festival mainly commemorates the teachings and beliefs of Prophet Mohammed.

There are a lot of alms giving which happens during the festival.



Popularly known as Barah Wafat (twelve death), this festival is celebrated on the twelfth day of the third month Rabi-ul-Awwal, in September / October. His death anniversary also falls on the same day, the word barah standing for the twelve days of the Prophet's sickness.

During these days, learned men deliver sermons in mosques, focussing on the life and noble deeds of the Prophet. In some parts of the country, a ceremony known as sandal rite is performed over the symbolic footprints of the Prophet engraved in stone.

A representation of buraq, a horse on which the Prophet is believed to have ascended to heaven,is kept near the footprints and anointed with sandal paste or scented powder, and the house and casket containing these are elaborately decorated. Elegies or marsiyas are sung in memory of the last days of the Prophet. The twelfth day or the urs is observed quietly, in prayers and alms-giving. Muhammad, son of Abdullah, son of Abdul Muttalib, of the tribe of Qureysh, was born at Mecca about 570 A.D., 53 years before the Hijrah. For some time Muhammad was at the service of a wealthy widow, named Khadijah. This resulted in their marriage which proved a very happy one, though she was fifteen years older than he. For 26 years they remained together and after her death Muhammad took other wives.

From about 610 A.D. Muhammad began to receive, as he believed, revelations sent down from Allah through the angel Gabriel. A small community was gathered, but they were persecuted by the Meccans. So in 622 A.D. Muhammad with his followers immigrated to Medina. Here he was no longer the leader of a religious minority, but the ruler of the city. This flight from Mecca to Medina is known as Hijrah and marks the beginning of the Islamic era.

More and more Arabian tribes accepted Islam as their religion and Muhammad as ruler, until 630 A.D. when even the Meccans submitted. In 632 A.D. Muhammad led the pilgrimage to Mecca, preached his farewell sermon and died soon after.

Id-E-Milad

The Prophet was born on the twelfth day of Rabi-ul-Awwal, the third month of the Muslim year. His death anniversary also falls on the same day. The word ' barah ' stands for the twelve days of the Prophet's sickness. During these days, sermons are delivered in mosques by learned men, focusing on the life and noble deeds of the Prophet.

In some parts of the country, a ceremony known as 'sandal' rite is performed over the symbolic footprints of the Prophet engraved in stone. A representation of 'buraq', a horse on which the Prophet is believed to have ascended to heaven, is kept near the footprints and anointed with sandal paste or scented powder, and the house and casket containing these are elaborately decorated. Elegies or 'marsiyas' are sung in memory of the last days of the Prophet. The twelfth day or the Urs proper is observed quietly, in prayers and alms-giving.

Eid Recipes

Mrouziya


2 pounds lamb chunks
2 cups water
2 teaspoons Ras El Hanout
1/4cup honey
1/4cup olive oil
1/2 cup whole blanched almonds, toasted
1/4 cup raisins


Heat oven to 345 degrees.
Coat the lamb with Ras El Hanout spice. Place spiced lamb in a 5-quart pot with an appropriate lid.
To the pot, add the water, honey and olive oil
Bake in the oven for about 2 hours until the meat tenderizes. Remove the meat from the pot and keep warm. Remove extra oil. To the pot, add the raisins. Boil until the raisins are fully cooked and the stew has thickened. Return the lamp to the stew. Bring back to boil for about 2 minutes. Decorate with the toasted almonds. Serve with warm bread, or with cooked Saffron rice, Raisins and Almonds.


Tabuli

1/2 cup very fine bulgur
2 bunches parsley
2 medium tomatoes, finely chopped
1 small onion, thoroughly minced
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dry mint
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice

Directions
Soak bulgur in enough fresh water for about 15 minutes.
Drain well.
Toss all ingredients in a large cooking bowl and add oil last.
Chill the mixture in the refrigerator.
Serve the mouthwatering dish decorated with lettuce leaves.


Biryani

500 gms Basmati Rice.
1kg Mutton (cut into small pieces).
2 tsp. Garam Masala.
6 Red chilies.
7 Cashewnuts.
Onions.(A handful, sliced fine and fried till crisp)
5 Lavang (Cloves)
2 Dalchini (Cinnamon Sticks)
2 pieces Elaichi.(cardamom)
3 Green chilies.
6 Kothmir, (chopped Fresh coriander)
1 small bunch Pudina chopped.
Ginger Garlic paste.
3 tsp. Saffron. (dissolved in ¾ cup milk)
Curd beaten 1 cup.
Juice of 2 Limes. 4 boiled eggs. Ghee /Oil 5 tbsp.
Salt to taste.

Grind the chilies and Cashewnuts into a fine paste. Mix the mutton pieces with the ginger-garlic paste and beaten curd and Keep aside. Heat four tablespoons ghee or oil and fry the chili paste. To this add the mutton, ¼ of the fried onion, 1tsp garam masala and salt to taste. When the ghee separates from the mixture, add one and a half cups warm water and pressure cook till tender. Take a wide mouthed vessel, fry the whole spices in 1 tbsp. ghee/oil. Add the rice and fry a little, add green chilies and salt to taste and enough water for the rice to cook. When the rice is cooked, spread it on a plate and remove the spices (sabut masala). Make a mixture* of the chopped Kothmir, Pudina, garam masala and fried onion and keep aside.



Take another wide mouthed vessel (a thick bottomed one) and line it with ghee, spread a layer of rice in it and cover it with half the mutton. Sprinkle half of the Pudina mixture* and juice of a lime. Put a layer of rice followed by a mutton layer and finish with a final layer of rice. Sprinkle the rice with saffron milk and some ghee. Cover tightly and cook for twenty minutes over slow fire. Serve hot.


Mutton Korma

½ kg Boneless mutton.
½ tbsp Jeera.
Onions. (Finely chopped 1 cup)
Poppy seed paste. (½ cup)
Coconut paste. (½ cup)
1 tbsp Ginger paste.
1 tbsp Garlic paste.
Coriander powder 1 tbsp.
Turmeric powder ½ tsp.
Red chili powder ½ tsp.
Bay leaves 2 nos.
Cloves 6-8 nos.
Green elaichi 6-8 nos.
Cinnamon sticks A few.
Nutmeg powder A little.
Oil 4 tbsp.
Salt to taste.

Roast (dry) the cloves, elaichi, nutmeg powder, jeera and cinnamon sticks and then grind to a fine paste. Heat some oil in a saucepan, add bay leaves and chopped onions and saute. When the onion browns add the ginger and garlic paste. Put in the boneless mutton and stir, mix in the ground masala, turmeric and red chili powder. Pour some water, sprinkle salt to taste and boil till the mutton is tender. Finally add in the poppy seeds paste along with the coconut paste and roasted coriander powder. Boil for another 10 minutes. Serve hot, garnished with coconut paste.

Haleem

250 gms Mutton.
1 cup Wheat soaked overnight, drained, pounded & husked.
A handful of channa dal, soaked for 1/2 hour.
A handful of moong dal, soaked for 1/2 hour.
A handful of masoor dal, soaked for 1/2 hour.
1 tsp Chili powder.
1/2 tsp Haldi.
2 Onions, sliced and fried crisp.
1 tsp Dhania powder.
2 tsp Ginger-garlic paste.
4 tbsp Ghee.
Salt to taste.

Take a wide mouthed heavy-bottomed vessel and heat 6-8 cups of water in it. When the water starts to boil put in the drained dal, wheat and mutton along with the ginger garlic paste, dhania powder, haldi, red chili powder and salt. Cook over slow fire till the mutton is tender then mash the mutton. To this mixture add the crushed fried onion. Heat the ghee and pour it over the Haleem. Sprinkle lemon-juice before serving – serve hot.



Kofta

For the gravy :-

3 onions finely chopped.
3 tomatoes.
2 tsp chili powder.
2 ½ tsp coriander powder.
¼ tsp turmeric powder.
1 tsp ginger garlic paste.
1 tsp cumin paste.
1 tbsp finely chopped coriander leaves.
5- tbsp oil.
3 cloves.
2 cardamoms.
2 Bay leaves.
4-5 green chilies finely chopped.
For the Koftas: -
½ kg mutton minced.
1 egg.
3 tbsp finely chopped coriander leaves.
½ tsp cumin seeds.
½ tsp red chili powder.
½ tsp coriander powder.
Salt to taste.


To make koftas


After washing the mince, squeeze out the water and mix it with all the other ingredients for koftas, make medium sized balls of this mixture and deep-fry them. Keep aside


For the gravy


Fry the chopped green chilies and onion along with the cumin seeds, bay leaves and the ginger garlic paste until golden brown. To this add the ground tomatoes, cardamom, cloves, salt and other ground spices, fry on a low flame. Put the koftas in the gravy and cook till the koftas leave water and add water only if required. Serve hot garnished with coriander leaves.



Shami Kabab

½ kg minced meat without fat.
2 tbsp chana dal washed and soaked in water for ½ hr.
1 tsp dhania jeera powder.
1 tsp garam masala.
10 garlic flakes.
2 pieces dalchini. (cinnamon)
3 cloves.
1 piece ginger.
2 elaichi. (cardamom)
A pinch of pepper.
1 tsp chili powder.
A handful of Coriander and chopped mint leaves
1 egg.
Juice of ½ a lemon.
1 finely chopped onion.
Oil for frying.
Salt to taste.

Wash and drain the mince and mix the chana dal, whole spices, a cup of water and salt to taste. Cook till dry. Remove from the fire and add ginger, garlic, pepper, chili powder, dhania and jeera powder then grind the mixture into a fine paste and knead into a dough. Add the chopped mint, corriander, lime juice and salt to taste. Make lemon sized balls of the dough, flatten the balls and stuff these with a little onion mixture, dip the stuffed kebabs in the beaten eggs and shallow fry till cooked.


Dahi Vada

1 cup urad dal.
1 kg yogurt

2 tsp cumin powder. (roasted)
1 tsp red chili powder.
1 tsp rock salt/ black salt.
3 tbsp chopped coriander.
1 piece ginger julienne.
15-20 raisins.
1 green chili finely chopped.
Oil for frying.
Tamarind chutney to taste.
Mint chutney to taste.
Salt to taste.

Soak the dal in water overnight, drain and grind into a smooth paste. Add ½ tsp salt and ½ tsp red-chili powder and raisins to this paste. Heat some oil in a pan and drop a tbsp of the batter into it and fry till it becomes golden in color. Take out from the oil and drain on absorbent paper, these are now called bhallas. Put these into hot water and soak for 2 minutes, remove it and squeeze the bhallas to drain water. Stir rock salt and ordinary salt into the yogurt. Just before serving place the bhallas in a plate, pour yogurt over it, add mint chutney and tamarind chutney and sprinkle red-chili powder and cumin powder

Barah Wafat








Id-e-Milad is a festival of both rejoicing and mourning. The festival of Id-e-Milad popularly known as Barah Wafat the twelfth day is one of the important festival in the Muslim calendar. The Prophet was born on the twelfth day of Rabi-ul-Awwal. 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. This is the third month of the Muslim year. This is usually in September and October. The word 'barah' refers to the twelve days of the Prophet's sickness. In 632 Muhammad fell ill and suffered for several days with head pain and weakness. He succumbed on Monday, in the city of Medina. He is buried in his tomb (which previously was in his wife Aisha’s house), which is housed within Mosque of the Prophet in Medina, is the second holiest mosque in Islam. On such days, there are sermons which are delivered in mosques by learned men. These sermons concentrate on the life and noble deeds of the Prophet.

Prophet Mohammed, son of Abdul Muttalib, of the Qureysh tribe, was born at Mecca in 570AD. From about 610 AD, he began to receive revelations sent down from Allah through angel Gabriel. He spread the word among people, and soon had a small community of followers. Later Islam became one of the most popular religions of the world. In 632 AD, Prophet Muhammad went on a pilgrimage to Mecca followed by thousands of his devotees, where he preached his farewell sermon and later left the mortal world forever. The festival mainly commemorates the teachings and beliefs of Prophet Mohammed. During the twelve days, sermons and Koranic texts narrating the life and noble deeds of the Prophet are recited in mosques.

Learned men and scholars focus their sermons on the life and teachings of Prophet Mohammed and inspire people to follow the path of good life as shown in Quran. Hence, the festival gives a chance to people to introspect their deeds and think of ways of being a better person.

On this day, a 'sandal 'rite is performed. This is done over the symbolic footprints of the Prophet which is engraved in the stone. A representation of 'buraq', which is a horse on which the Prophet is believed to have gone to heaven and this is kept near the footprints of the prophet. The foot is also smeared with sandal paste or scented powder. The house and casket having all of these are elaborately decorated. There are elegies or 'marsiyas' which are sung in memory of the last days of the Prophet. The twelfth day which is also known as the Urs is observed in prayers and alms-giving quietly.During these days, learned men and scholars in mosques, focus on the life and noble deeds of the Prophet and deliver sermons.

In many places hymns are sung and elegies or marsiyas are recited in memory of the last days of the Prophet. Acts of charity are also done by devout Muslims and alms are distributed to the poor and the needy. Later, people invite friends and relatives for a feast
'Please Remember me in your Prayer's'