Some Important Islamic Occasions

Name: Yasin Sami Abdullah 

In the name of Allah Most Gracious Most Merciful

     Some Important Islamic Occasions

1.     Juma'h Prayer

    Besides the five obligatory prayers, Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) has also ordained the "Jumah" (Friday Congregational Prayer) as a necessary prayer on the Muslim Nation as is made clear in the verse of the Holy Qur'an. Friday is a glorious day in Islam and represents a great weekly meeting in which the Muslims gather in the houses of Allah leaving aside all worldly affairs. The "Jumah" prayer is therefore specific with a Sermon in which the mosque preachers (imams) discuss and deal with the daily problems of the Muslim's society and give enlightenment from the torch of Islam. The "Jumah" prayer reflects that Islam is a great Social order which fosters brotherhood, abhors disunity and discourages evils.

The Jumah is not a duty on women, who instead, may perform the obligatory Dhuhr (Noon) prayer at their homes although they may join the Jumah prayers, if by doing so does not affect their household duties, orcause them any inconvenience.

2.     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 on the tenth day of Muharram, called Ashura, is particularly important, as it supposed to lead to great rewards.

3.     Isra wa Mi'raj

In Islamic tradition, the Isra and Mi'raj are the two parts of a journey that Prophet Muhammad took in one night, in 621 AD (1 BH). Many Muslims consider it a physical journey. The Isra begins with Prophet Muhammad resting in the Kaaba in Mecca, when the archangel Gabriel comes to him, and brings him the winged steed Buraq, who carries Prophet Muhammad to the "farthest mosque" in Jerusalem. There, Prophet Muhammad alights, tethers Buraq, and leads all the previous prophets in prayer. He then gets back on Buraq, and in the second part of the journey, the Mi'raj, is taken to the heavens, where he tours the circles of heaven, and speaks with the earlier prophets, and with Allah. Allah tells him to enjoin the Muslims to pray fifty times a day; however, Moses tells Muhammad that they would never do it, and urges Muhammad to go back several times and ask for a reduction, until finally it is reduced to five times a day.

4.     EID FITR

Eid Fitr is one of the two great Islamic festivals, the other being Eid-ul-Azha. Its importance can be judged from the fact that Almighty Allah Himself ordered the believers to celebrate it. It is celebrated at the end of the month of fasting (Ramadan) and has a special significance for the Muslim society. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) established the Islamic egalitarian society, free of all kinds of exploitation and corruption, and maintaining the sanctity of this society was made the obligation of the believers in every age. For this purpose, the holy month of fasting (Ramadan) was selected to help prepare believers for this responsibility. In this training, during the specific fasting periods believers are required to refrain from enjoying such things, which are otherwise lawful for them.

Eid Fitr is the Day of Thanksgiving to Allah, for giving His servants the opportunity to fast and to worship Him in the month of Ramadan. On this Day, Muslims leave their jobs, wear clean clothes, offer special Eid Prayers, and after prayers go to visit one another and take part in festivities. Small children wear beautiful new clothes, and are very busy enjoying the festival. Their angelic faces beam with joy.

5.     Eid al-Adha

At the end of the Hajj (annual pilgrimage to Mecca), Muslims throughout the world celebrate the holiday of Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice). During the celebration of Eid al-Adha, Muslims commemorate and remember Abraham's trials, by themselves slaughtering an animal such as a sheep, camel, or goat. This action is very often misunderstood by those outside the faith.

To celebrate Eid- Ul –Adha in a creative way, kids can make hand made Eid- Ul –Adha greetings and present them to all their near and dear ones. For those who have no time to visit markets to buy Eid- Ul –Adha greetings and have no free time to make hand made Eid- Ul –Adha greetings, for them online Eid- Ul –Adha greetings would be the best option. So celebrate this Eid- Ul –Adha in a different and creative way to remember it forever.

On the first morning of Eid al-Adha, Muslims around the world attend morning prayers at their local mosques. Prayers are followed by visits with family and friends, and the exchange of greetings and gifts. At some point, members of the family will visit a local farm or otherwise will make arrangements for the slaughter of an animal. The meat is distributed during the days of the holiday or shortly thereafter.

6.     Pilgrimage to Mecca

Once a year, Muslims of every ethnic group, colour, social status, and culture gather together in Mecca and stand before the Kaaba praising Allah together. It is a ritual that is designed to promote the bonds of Islamic brotherhood and sisterhood by showing that everyone is equal in the eyes of Allah.

The Hajj makes Muslims feel real importance of life here on earth, and the afterlife, by stripping away all markers of social status, wealth, and pride. In the Hajj all are truly equal. For Muslims, the Hajj is the fifth and final pillar of Islam. It occurs in the month of Dhul Hijjah which is the twelfth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is the journey that every sane adult Muslim must undertake at least once in their lives if they can afford it and are physically able.