Category Archives: Festivals

August 8, 2013   Advice, Article, Dhul Hijjah, Eid ul-Adha, Eid ul-Fitr, Fasting, Festivals, Hadith, Ramadan, Sacred Nights, Shagufta Ahmed Qadri, Shawwal, The Holy Prophet, Virtues and Ethics   No comments

Big Nights and Days of Islam: Eid

Hadeeth Ibn Majah ra

It was narrated from Hazrat Abu Umaamah radi Allaahu ‘anhu: “Whoever spends the nights of the two ‘Eids in praying voluntary night prayers, seeking reward from Allah, his heart will not die on the Day when hearts will die.” [Ibn Majah, Hadeeth #1782]

Hazrat Aysha radi Allaahu ‘anhaa related: “God the Exalted showers goodness (khayr) in abundance during four nights; the Nights of Aḍḥā and Fiṭr (i.e. the night of the two ʿĪds), the Night of Mid-Shaʿbān in which deaths and provisions are determined as are the pilgrimages written, and the evening of ʿArafa until the call to prayer.” [Kanz ul-ʿUmmaal, Vol #12, Hadeeth #35215][1]

It is related from Hazrat Mu’aadh ibn Jabal radi Allaahu ‘anhu that whoever observes the night vigil during the following five nights has heaven made obligatory on him: the 8th, 9th and 10th nights of Dhul Hijjah, fourth is the night of Eid-ul-Fitr and fifth is the 15th night of Sha’baan. [At-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb, Vol #2, Hadeeth #2]

Hazrat Abdullah ibn Abbas radi Allaahu ‘anhumaa relates: When the blessed night of Eid-ul-Fitr arrives, it is called “Laylatul Jaaizah” which means “the night of reward.” When the morning of Eid comes in, Allah sends His innocent angels to all the cities. As a result these angels come to the earth and stand at the head of every street and call out: “Oh Ummah of Prophet Muhammad sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam! Come to the Court of that Divine Lord who bestows copiously and forgives the greatest of sins!”

Then Allah addresses His creatures as follows: “O My servants! Ask! What would you like to ask? By My Honor and Majesty! Today at this gathering (of the Eid prayer) whatever you will ask Me related to your Hereafter I Will Fulfill it. And whatever you ask related to your dunya, I Will do whatever is best for you. By My Honor! As long as you pay heed to Me, I will also cover your faults. By My Honor and Majesty! I will not disappoint you with the transgressors. Now return to your homes forgiven! You have pleased Me and I am also pleased with you!” [At-Targheeb wat Tarheeb, Vol #2, Hadeeth #23]

Hazrat Syedna Wahb bin Munabbah radi Allaahu ‘anhu relates: Whenever Eid arrives, shaytaan cries out loudly. Seeing his almost faintly state, the other devils gather around him and ask: O master! Why are you angry and sad? He says: Alas! Today, Allah has forgiven Ummat-ul-Muhammad (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam). Therefore you lure them into sensual pleasures and selfish desires. [Mukaashafa-tul Quloob of Hazrat Imam Ghazali rahmatullah alayh, p.308]

 

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October 13, 2011   Arabic, Art, Books, Calligraphy, Culture, English, Events, Farsi, Festivals, Food and Recipes, History, Intercultural Communication, Language, Music, Poetry, Samaa/Qawwali, Stories, Uncategorized, Urdu, Virtues and Ethics   1 Comment

Book: The Culture of Islam

The Islamic Educational and Cultural Research Center (IECRC) participated in the Annual Sacramento World Festival in Old Sacramento (California) on October 2, 2011. The IECRC booth represented artifacts, books, clothing, music, Islamic poetry and many other Islamic cultural items from the various cultures in the Muslim world including that of Pakistan, Morroco, Saudi Arabia (Mecca and Medina), Egypt, Syria, India, Afghanistan, Iran, and Turkey among other countries. Among the highlights at booth included free henna cultural designs on the hands of women, Arabic writing of the audience’s names, and an interactive poster of the text of the Holy Qur’an on one page viewed only by microscope.

A publication by IECRC named “The Culture of Islam” was published and handed out to the audience. Below is a downloadable PDF of the book:

sacworldfest_singlepage_for_web

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October 13, 2011   Arabic, Art, Article, Calligraphy, Culture, Education, English, Events, Farsi, Festivals, Food and Recipes, History, Intercultural Communication, Intercultural Communication, Language, Language, Music, Poetry, Report, Sacramento, Samaa/Qawwali, Stories, Subcontinent, Urdu, Virtues and Ethics   1 Comment

IECRC Exhibits the Islamic Culture at the Sacramento World Festival

To understand another’s custom, one must look at it from the perspective of the person practicing the custom. One must place themselves or attempt to place themselves in the shoes of the other. Sort of, look through the eyes of that person to feel what she feels. That is where understanding occurs. And that is why events such as the Sacramento Cultural Festival are so important. They allow for diverse expression of cultural values which keep the tree of community alive and vibrant in the fruitful production of ideas and its flowering creates beauty and attraction for all to enjoy.

—The Culture of Islam by IECRC

October 2, 2011

The Islamic Educational and Cultural Research Center (IECRC) participated in the Annual Sacramento World Festival in Old Sacramento (California) on October 2, 2011. The IECRC booth represented artifacts, books, clothing, music, Islamic poetry and many other Islamic cultural items from the various cultures in the Muslim world including that of Pakistan, Morroco, Saudi Arabia (Mecca and Medina), Egypt, Syria, India, Afghanistan, Iran, and Turkey among other countries. Among the highlights at booth included free henna cultural designs on the hands of women, Arabic writing of the audience’s names, and an interactive poster of the text of the Holy Qur’an on one page viewed only by microscope.

[slideshow id=15]

 

The goal of this exhibition and performance was to introduce to the American public a view of Islam through its beautiful and colorful cultural expression. The performance included a recital (dhikr) in Arabic by Lua Hightower and the IECRC Naat Group of Sacramento about the meanings of Allahu Akbar (God is Greater) Islamic Tawhid (Oneness of God), and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Farhad Yaqubi presented his own composition in Farsi on the Compassionate and Merciful attributes of God and a beautiful performance on harmonium of the famous Nami Daanam che manzil bood shab jaey ke man boodam a piece written by Amir Khusro (may God have mercy on him) about the spiritual state of Union with the One. All performances were translated in English along with the Roman transliteration so that the audience could experience some of the depth of the spiritual works being presented. Meher Faiq of Fusion Catering and Shemeem Khan offered free samoosas and pakoras (traditional Muslim food from the Subcontinent) prepared at location while the audience enjoyed the presentation.

Sharaaz Khan Qadri, Director of the Sacramento Chapter of IECRC presented two traditional stories from Kaleela Dimnah and Maulana Rumi’s Mathnawi (may God have mercy on him) to an audience of children and parents in Old Sacramento’s famous Eagle Theater.

This all-day event ended in a success as the event offered itself as a great opportunity to network with other cultures in an exchange of religious and cultural viewpoints within a friendly, open, and non-dogmatic atmosphere. A publication by IECRC named “The Culture of Islam” was published and handed out to the audience.

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