Muslim weddings: traditions and customs. Muslims call prayer

A Muslim wedding is a unique and colorful celebration, filled with beautiful traditions and customs. Of course, each individual country has its own peculiarities of holding a wedding, but there are common features that are characteristic of all Muslims. The Svadebka.ws portal will tell you about them.

A traditional Muslim wedding consists of the following stages:

Let's find out what Muslim newlyweds and their relatives do at each of these stages of the wedding.

Matchmaking

Like many nationalities, a Muslim wedding begins with matchmaking. Most often, modern guys meet girls themselves, choosing a mate, and his family already approves or does not approve of this union. However, there are also families in which the mother or sister of the young man is looking for a bride. When the choice is made, the groom and his family members come to meet the bride, presenting her with gifts. 7 days after such a visit, the girl must agree to the marriage or refuse the guy, returning all the gifts to him.

If the bride gives a positive answer, the groom's relatives come to visit her again. On this day, a married relative of the guy puts a ring on her ring finger, thereby showing that now this girl will soon become a wife. The bride's family prepares a festive dinner, the main dish of which is national shurpa.

After matchmaking, representatives from each family gather to discuss the details of the wedding: from the date and location to the number of guests and menu. According to Muslim traditions and customs, the groom's side pays for everything, as in the case of a Turkish wedding. Typically, such an event costs from $5,000, not including gifts for the bride and her relatives. Therefore, even though polygamy is allowed in Muslim countries, not all men decide on it, because they must not only pay for the wedding, but also adequately support their wife and common children.

Newlyweds can see each other before the wedding only in the presence of other people. They are not allowed to hold hands or touch each other; they can communicate, but only on important topics. The girl should be dressed in a closed dress so that the groom can see only her face and hands, judging by which the guy and his relatives form their opinion about her appearance and health.

Henna night: Muslim traditions the day before the wedding

Before the wedding, according to Muslim customs, a bachelorette party is held, which is called “Henna Night,” during which beautiful henna patterns are applied to the bride’s feet and hands, each of which has a symbolic meaning. Only a woman who is happily married can do this. A correctly applied drawing promises happiness, peace and prosperity to the newlyweds. Moreover, the longer the patterns on the bride’s hands last, the better, because during this time she is freed from any household work.

The bride is dressed in a Muslim wedding dress, decorated with numerous ornaments and patterns, and her face is covered with a veil or a traditional headscarf - hijab - is put on her head. According to tradition, a Muslim wedding dress should cover the girl’s silhouette, shoulders, ears and forearms. Moreover, it does not have to be white, but even vice versa: in Muslim countries, wedding dresses are most often colored.

The bridesmaids sing sad Islamic songs, mourning her departure from her native nest. The groom also spends a bachelor party with his friends the night before the wedding, saying goodbye to his single life.

Nikah ritual - wedding among Muslims

An obligatory stage of the wedding celebration is the marriage ceremony in the mosque. Muslim weddings are called nikah. The imam or mullah conducts it, reading prayers, during which the young people and all those present sit silently, with downcast eyes. It is important that a Muslim wedding can only be performed if the following conditions are met:

• The newlyweds are not close relatives.
• Marriage has no time limit.
• The consent of the bride and groom is required for marriage.
• The marriage union is publicly announced.
• The groom pays mahr to the bride.
• A wedding in Islam is impossible without the presence of at least two witnesses from a number of pious Muslims (two men or a man and two women).
• During the ceremony, the bride's guardian (father, paternal uncle, brother), as well as the parents of both families, must be present in the mosque. If they fail, they must notify the mullah in advance of the wedding and give their consent to the marriage.

Nikah lasts about an hour. At the end, the newlyweds exchange rings, most often not gold, but silver. Why is this particular metal used to make wedding rings among Muslims? According to Islamic law, a man cannot wear gold, thereby decorating himself, this is considered a sin. He must show his wealth in a different way, so his wedding ring can only be made of silver or platinum. But a Muslim woman can wear gold jewelry, which her husband gives her in abundance during family life.

One of the most unusual wedding traditions is that during a Muslim wedding, the groom must voice the amount of the gift to the bride - mahr (jewelry, real estate, etc.), which he will have to pay her during her life or in case of divorce. Thus, he shows that his intentions are serious.

At the end of the nikah, the newlyweds are given a certificate in which the names of the bride and groom, as well as the size of the marriage mahr, are written down.

In addition to the traditional wedding, which is held in a mosque, modern newlyweds also register their marriage with officials and even enter into a prenuptial agreement regulating the financial aspects of the family union in the event of divorce.

How do Muslim weddings work? On a grand scale! Traditionally, the banquet begins with a ritual called “valim” - setting the festive table, which contains only halal products permitted by Islamic norms. The abundance of treats is simply mind-boggling! The only things prohibited at the celebrations are alcohol and pork dishes. But there are more than enough oriental sweets at the wedding! And the decor of the event itself amazes with its luxury and effectiveness!

All relatives, neighbors and friends from among the godly are invited to the feast. In addition, unlike a wedding, you can invite friends of other faiths to the holiday. According to Muslim customs, men and women at a wedding must sit in separate rooms, but modern couples do not always adhere to this rule. Guests sing and dance a lot, so Muslim celebrations are fun and noisy!

The portal www.site told you about the traditions and customs of a Muslim wedding, in particular, what a Muslim wedding is called and how it is carried out. Although many newlyweds now celebrate in a modern way, the main rituals are carried out strictly, because they have great meaning for most Muslim couples! Therefore, when preparing a wedding in oriental style, if one of the newlyweds is an adherent of the Islamic religion, you should definitely take these points into account!

How are Muslim funerals conducted? Traditions, customs and rituals according to Sharia

Anyone who attended a Muslim funeral will never forget this.

What is most striking is the trepidation with which the relatives and friends of the deceased try to fulfill all the requirements of Sharia and bury their loved one as a True Muslim. Starting from the dying state, and until a year (or even more) has passed after the funeral, relatives will diligently perform certain rituals. Many of them will seem strange to a person who does not know, but for true Muslims they are important, they are sacred. The funeral itself takes place in several stages.

Preparing for the funeral



The Koran calls for preparing for death throughout your life, so that at the end of it you can accept such a difficult test with a light heart. Special rituals prescribed in Sharia begin to be performed while a person is still alive, but already at the point of death. First of all, they invite an imam, a Muslim priest, to read “Kalimat-shahadat” over the deathbed. In addition to reading the prayer, do the following:

The dying person is placed on his back with his feet facing Mecca. This is the personification of the soul's path to a holy place.

It is necessary to help the sufferer cope with thirst by giving a sip of cold water. If possible, pomegranate juice or Zam-Zam - sacred water - is dripped into the mouth.

Crying loudly is prohibited so that the dying person can concentrate on his final ordeal and not grieve about worldly things. Therefore, compassionate women may not be allowed near the bed or even taken out of the house.

Immediately after death, the deceased’s eyes are closed, his arms and legs are straightened, and his chin is tied up. The body is covered with a cloth, and a heavy object is placed on the stomach.

Muslim funerals should be held as soon as possible, preferably on the same day. Therefore, usually followers of Islam are not taken to the morgue, but are immediately prepared for burial.





Ablution and washing (taharat and ghusul)



Islam has a strict attitude towards cleanliness. If cleansing rituals are not observed, the body of the deceased is considered desecrated, and the soul is considered unprepared to meet God. Taharat is ablution, the cleansing of the material body, while ghusul is more of a ritual washing.

First, Hassal is chosen - the responsible person who will conduct the rituals of ablution and washing. This must be a close relative, usually someone older. In this case, women wash women, men wash men, but a wife can wash her husband. At least three more people will help Hassal carry out cleansing rituals. If it is not possible for the deceased to be washed by a person of his sex, instead of washing with water, the ritual of tayammum is performed - cleansing with earth or sand. Taharat takes place in a special room in a cemetery or mosque. Before ablution begins, incense is lit in the room. Hassal washes his hands three times and puts on gloves. Next, he covers the lower part of the deceased with a cloth and performs the cleansing procedure. Then follows washing (ghusul). The body of the deceased is washed 3 times: with water with cedar powder, with camphor and clean water. All parts of the body are washed and dried one by one, the head and beard are washed with soap.





Wrapping in a shroud (kafan)



According to Muslim customs, both men and women are buried barefoot, dressed in a simple shirt (kamisa) and wrapped in several pieces of linen. A rich and respected Muslim who has not left behind any debts is wrapped in expensive cloth. But not silk: a Muslim man is forbidden to wear silk even during his lifetime.

A man's shroud is a shirt, a piece of cloth to cover the lower body and a large piece of cloth to cover the entire body with the head on all sides.

A woman's shroud consists of the same shirt, only down to the knees, a piece of fabric for the lower part, a large piece of fabric to envelop the body on all sides, as well as a piece for the hair and another for the chest. Newborns and very young children are completely wrapped in one piece. According to Muslim customs, the deceased is clothed in a shroud by the closest relatives, usually the same ones who took part in the ablution.





Burial (daphne)



Muslim burials take place only in the cemetery. Cremation is strictly prohibited; it is equivalent to burning in hell. That is, if a Muslim cremated the body of a relative, it is the same as dooming his loved one to hellish torment. The deceased is lowered into the grave, feet down, while a veil is held over the women: even after death, no one should see her body. The imam throws a handful of earth into the grave and recites the sura. Then the burial site is watered and soil is thrown seven times. After the funeral of a Muslim, everyone leaves, but one person remains to say prayers for the soul of the deceased. By the way, since Muslims are buried without a coffin, after the funeral wild animals can smell it and dig up the grave. This cannot be allowed: desecrating a grave and a dead body is a terrible sin. The Muslim people found a way out in burnt bricks. They strengthen the grave with it so that it cannot be dug up, and the burnt smell scares away animals.



Funeral prayer (janaza).
Muslims are buried without a coffin. Instead, a special stretcher with a lid (tobut) is used. The deceased is carried on a stretcher to the grave, where the imam begins to recite the janaza. This is a very powerful and important prayer in the Islamic tradition. If it is not read, the funeral of a Muslim is considered invalid.

Muslim funeral

No feasts are held immediately after the funeral. For the first three days after death, relatives should only pray for the deceased, and reduce cooking and household chores to a minimum. On days 3, 7 and 40 after the funeral, as well as a year later, memorial meals are held. All these days (until the fortieth day) there should be no music in the house of the deceased. Luxurious funerals with gourmet food are frowned upon among radical Muslims. Islam prohibits “eating” the family of the deceased and forcing grieving relatives to do housework. Instead, you need to support in every possible way, help both morally and financially. The funeral meal should be a simple lunch with loved ones.

A funeral in Islam is, first of all, a commemoration of the deceased, a prayer for his soul and an opportunity for the family to unite in order to more easily survive grief. Alcohol is strictly prohibited at Muslim funerals.

This article contains: where and how prayer takes place among Muslims - information taken from all corners of the world, the electronic network and spiritual people.

What is prayer and why is it needed?

Prayer. We don't use this word very often, but how often we resort to it. In the understanding of the majority of people, prayer is an appeal to God. In fact, prayer should not consist only of requests, but, unfortunately, we remember Allah more often, we turn to Him when we feel bad, when all options have already been tried. However, it is advisable for all of us to realize that we need to pray not only at the moment when a person is already at a “dead end” and not only when something is needed. After all, it is through prayer that we can thank the Almighty for everything. For everything in the most literal and broad sense of the word. For the creation of this world, for air and water, for arms and legs, for parents, children and so on.

Of course, the main prayer for Muslims is namaz, as one of the 5 pillars of Islam. Namaz is a daily five-time prayer ritual obligatory for all adherents of our religion. The 43rd verse of the Quranic Surah “The Cow” says: “Perform prayer, pay zakat and bow with those who bow.”

One of the frequently discussed issues among non-Arabs is the uncertainty of whether it is possible to pray to the Lord in their native language. First, you need to understand that prayer and namaz are not always the same thing, although sometimes these words can be described as synonyms. Namaz is our duty, and prayer (supplication) is something we do at will. Namaz must be performed in Arabic. This is the injunction of religion.

Naturally, the basis of everything is faith. This also applies to prayer. What is the point of praying if a person does not believe that he will be heard? The Almighty sees and knows everything about us, so He will certainly hear every prayer. Both spoken out loud and said to oneself.

In addition to mosques, which are the houses of Allah, you can pray almost everywhere: at home, on the street, in the car, and so on. After all, if a person gets into trouble, he does not think about finding some special place for prayer. True, Sharia does not allow us to pray in certain places (for example, in the bathroom). And ethics too.

Each of us has probably asked this question more than once. After all, it happens that you pray to Allah, ask him for something in the morning and evening, but it does not come true. It’s just not at all. And there comes a moment when a person has doubts: “Or maybe God doesn’t hear me? Maybe he doesn’t want to hear?” It `s naturally. Emotions. We must understand for ourselves once and for all that Allah does not wish harm to His creatures. It is appropriate to remember the saying that everything that is not done is done for the better. Probably, since something doesn’t work out for us, it means we don’t need it. This makes no sense. There is no good. However, it is possible that the Almighty is testing us. It tests our loyalty, our strength, and how quickly we will get offended and “explode.” So you need to pray the same way you need to live - patiently. Yes, and with hope.

Is it worth praying for little things?

Many of us have prayed, for example, for a conversation to go well, for a good grade in school, or even for our favorite football team to win. Is this right? It is very difficult to give a definite answer to this question, but we understand that Allah is great and He loves when people turn to Him. People have different desires. The main thing is that they, like prayer, are righteous.

Pray and sit back?

Undoubtedly, efforts, perseverance, ambition and the desire to develop are encouraged by Allah. Prayer, rather, is an assistant in achieving a particular goal. It would be wrong to pray to the Almighty for a new job without first sending a CV to some company.

From early childhood, in books, films, and sometimes even in songs, we hear about prayer, that in case of a problem we can turn to God, He will undoubtedly help. And this is the honest truth. We turned to Allah with some desires, asked for their fulfillment, and who can say that no one from above ever helped him? Even some unbelievers admitted that, being in a hopeless situation, they prayed to the Lord for help.

The fact that prayer protects a person from everything negative is a generally accepted fact. As an argument, let us cite the 45th verse of Surah “Spider”: “Read what is inspired to you from the Scripture and perform prayer. Truly, prayer protects from abomination and reprehensible. But remembering Allah is much more important, and Allah knows what you do.”

Prayer and good deeds are inseparable

Although a good deed is not so much a prescription as an individual's choice, and prayer is obligatory for Muslims, according to Islam, they are inseparable. This is noted in the 7th verse of Surah “Transferred by Night”: “We said: “If you do good, then you do it for your own good. And if you do evil, then you are doing harm to yourself.”

Prayer and lessons of collectivism

Well, one more plus of prayer. Its implementation is in the jamaat, when masses of people of different skin colors, thinking in different languages, busy with their own worldly affairs, carry out the prescribed worship of the Almighty in the required form. With uniform movements, identical text. And here the power of Islam is felt. Its uniqueness. Regardless of the geographical location of the mosque or the time of prayer, the adhan brings together Muslims of different nationalities. Movements are carried out in a single impulse. And the mass of Muslims becomes an ummah in which there are no first and last, no right and no left. This is our hope. Our confidence. Our strength and future.

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Where and how do Muslims pray?

Namaz is the second pillar of Islam

Namaz is one of the foundations of the religion of Islam. With its help, the connection between man and the Almighty is established. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Know that the best of your deeds is prayer!” Reading prayer five times a day helps a person strengthen his faith each time, cleanse his soul from committed sins and protect himself from future sins. Another hadith says: “The first thing a person will be asked about on the Day of Judgment is about performing prayer on time.”

Before each prayer, a true Muslim performs ablution and appears before his Creator. In morning prayer, he exalts Allah, endlessly asserting His exclusive right to worship. A believer turns to the Creator for help and asks Him for a straight path. As proof of submission and loyalty, a person bows to the ground before the Almighty.

How to read namaz correctly (Namaz uku tertibe)

Prayers are performed in Arabic - the language of Revelation - 5 times a day:

1. at dawn (Irtenge);
2. in the middle of the day (Oile);
3. in the evening (Ikende);
4. at sunset (Akhsham);
5. at dusk (Yastu).

This determines the rhythm of the day of a Muslim believer. To perform namaz, women and men must cleanse their soul and body, clothing and place of prayer. If possible, righteous Muslims should strive to pray in a mosque. If this is not possible, you are allowed to pray almost anywhere, for example, at a university or in an office.

Before the obligatory prayer, there is a call to it - Azan. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), in order to show that Azan is a manifestation of piety, said: “If the time for prayer has come, let one of you read the Azan to you.”

To read the prayer, the following conditions must be met:

1. ritual purity. A person in a state of defilement must perform a ritual ablution (full or partial, according to the degree of defilement);
2. clean place. Prayer should be performed only in a clean, undefiled place (free from najasa - uncleanness);
3. qibla During prayer, the believer must stand in the direction of the Muslim shrine of the Kaaba;
4. cloth. A Muslim must wear absolutely clean clothes, not stained with uncleanliness (for example, human or animal excrement, the hair of unclean animals such as a pig or a dog). Also, clothes must cover the aurat - places that a believer must cover according to Sharia (for a man - part of the body from the navel to the knees, for a woman - the whole body, except for the face, hands and feet);
5. intention. A person must have a sincere intention to perform prayer (niyat);
6. sobriety of mind. Alcohol, various psychotropic and narcotic drugs are absolutely prohibited in Islam (this is haram).

Muslim prayers are the basis of a Muslim’s life

Also, unlike Muslim prayer, there are prayers in Islam (in Arabic they are called “dua”, and in Tatar – “doga”) - this is an opportunity to communicate with the Lord of the worlds. The Almighty knows everything obvious and hidden, so Allah hears any prayer, no matter whether the Muslim prayer is said out loud or silently, on the surface of the Moon or in a mine where coal is mined.

Dua to Allah should always be pronounced confidently, because we know: Allah created us and our difficulties, and He has the power to change this world and solve any problem without difficulty. And no matter what language you use to address the Creator, let your soul whisper in the language in which it is easiest for you to express yourself.

In Islam there are prayers for all occasions. Below are examples of Muslim duas, most of which are taken from the Koran and Sunnah, as well as from sheikhs and auliya (close people - friends of Allah). Among them are prayers for good luck. For example, against problems, misfortune, misfortune and grief, if there is danger, etc.

Muslim prayer if you want to repent of your sins

Allahumma ante rabbi, laya ilyayahe illya ant, halyaktanii wa ana 'abduk, wa ana 'alaya 'ahdikya wa wa'dikya mastato'tu, a'uuzu bikya min sharri maa sona'tu, abuu'u lyakya bi ni'matica 'alaya wa abuu'ulakya bi zanbii, fagfirlii, fa innehu laya yagfiruz-zunuube illya ant.

O Allah, You are my Lord! There is no God but You. You created me, and I am Your servant. And I will try to justify the responsibility entrusted to me, to keep my word to the best of my strength and capabilities. I resort to You, moving away from everything bad that I have done. I acknowledge the blessings You have given me and I acknowledge my sin. I'm sorry! Truly, no one will forgive my mistakes except You. Note: by becoming a Muslim, a person assumes a certain responsibility and makes a vow to the Almighty not to do what is forbidden and to do what is obligatory.

Muslim prayers read before eating

First option: Bismillah!

Note: The Prophet Muhammad said: “Before eating, each of you should say: “Bismillah.” If he forgets about this at the beginning [of the meal], then let him say as soon as he remembers: “Bismil-lyahi fii avalihi va aakhirihi” (With the name of the Most High at the beginning and at the end [of the meal]).”

Allahumma baariq lanaa fikh, va at’ymnaa khairan minkh.

O Almighty, make it blessed for us and feed us with what is better than this.

Muslim prayers read when leaving home

Bismil-layakh, tavakkyaltu ‘alal-laakh, wa laya havla wa laya kuvvate illya bill-layakh.

In the name of Almighty Allah! I trust only in Him. True power and strength belong only to Him.

Allahumma innii ‘auuzu bikya an adyllya av udalla av azilla av usalla av azlimya av uzlyama av ajhala av yudjhala ‘alaya.

O Lord! Truly, I resort to You so as not to go astray and not be led astray, so as not to make mistakes myself and not be forced to make mistakes, so as not to act unfairly myself and not be oppressed, so as not to be ignorant and so that in relation to me did not act ignorantly.

Muslim prayer read at the entrance to the house

Saying these words, the one who enters greets the one who is in him:

Bismil-lyahi valyajna, wa bismil-lyaahi harajna va ‘alaya rabbinaa ta-vakkyalnaa.

We entered in the name of the Most High and went out in His name. And only in our Lord do we trust.

Muslim prayer if you want to get married

First, a ritual ablution is performed (taharat, abdest), after which one must perform two rakats of additional prayer and say:

Allahumma innakya takdir wa laya akdir wa ta'lyam wa la a'lyam wa ante 'alla-yamul-guyuyub, fa in ra'aita anna (says the girl's name) khairun li fii dii-nii wa dunya-ya va aakhyratii fakdurkhaa li, va in kyanet gairukhaa khairan lii minhaa fii diinii wa dunya-ya va aakhyratii fakdurkhaa lii.

O Allah! Everything is in Your power, but I am not able to do anything. You know everything, but I don’t. You know everything that is hidden from us. And if You think what is best for preserving my religiosity and well-being both in this and in the future worlds, then help me in making her my wife (husband). And if the other is the best for preserving my religiosity and well-being in both worlds, then help me so that the other becomes my wife (husband).

Muslim prayer before marital intimacy:

Bismil-layah. Allahumma jannibnash-shaitaane wa jannibish-shaitaana maa razaktanaa.

I start with the name of the Lord. O Almighty, remove us from Satan and remove Satan from what You will give us!

Muslim prayer read in case of loss of any thing

Bismil-layah. Yaa haadiyad-dullyayal wa raaddad-doollyati-rdud ‘alaya dool-lyatii bi ‘izzatikya va sultaaniq, fa innahaa min ‘atoikya va fadlik.

I start with the name of Allah. O He who guides those who stray from it to the right path! O He Who restores what has been lost. Give me back the lost thing with Your greatness and power. Truly this thing has been given to me by You out of Your boundless mercy.

Muslim prayer against problems, trouble, misfortune and grief

Innaa lil-lyahi wa innaa ilyaihi raaji'uun, allaahumma 'indakya ahtasibu musyybatii fa'jurnii fiihe, wa abdilnii bihee hairan minhe.

Verily, we belong completely to Allah and, verily, we all return to Him. O Lord, before You I will give an account for my understanding and correctness in overcoming this misfortune. Reward me for the patience I have shown and replace the misfortune with something that is better than it.

Muslim prayer against difficulty, need and problems

First, ritual ablution (taharat, abdest) is performed, after which two rakats of additional prayer must be performed and said:

Alhamdu lil-lyahi rabbil-'aalamiin, as'alyukya muujibaati rahmatik, va 'azaaima magfiratiq, val-'ismata min kulli zanb, val-ganiimata min kulli birr, vas-salayamata min kulli ism, laya tada' liyi zanban illya gafartakh, wa laya hamman illya farrajtakh, wa laya haajaten hiya laka ridan illya kadaitahaa, ya arkhamar-raahimiin.

True praise belongs only to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I ask You, O Allah, for that which will bring Your mercy closer to me, the effectiveness of Your forgiveness, protection from sins, benefit from everything righteous. I ask You for salvation from all mistakes. Do not leave a single sin that You would not forgive me, not a single anxiety from which You would not deliver me, and not a single need that, being correct, would not be satisfied by You. After all, You are the Most Merciful.

Muslim prayers against anxiety and sadness in the soul

Allahumma innii ‘abdukya ibnu ‘abdikya ibnu ematik. Naasyatiy bi yadikya maadyn fiya hukmukya ‘adlyun fiya kadouk. As'alukya bi kulli ismin huva lak, sammyaite bihi nafsyak, av ansaltahu fii kitaabik, av 'allamtahu ahaden min halkyk, av ista'sarte bihi fii 'ilmil-gaibi 'indeky, en tad-j'alal-kur'ana rabi' a kalbi, wa nuura sadri, wa jalaa'e khuzni, wa zahaaba hami.

O Allah Almighty! I am Your servant, the son of Your male servant and Your maidservant. The power over me is in Your [right hand]. Your decision is unquestioningly carried out in relation to me and is fair. I turn to You by all the names that You have called Yourself or mentioned in Your Scripture or revealed to anyone from those created by You or by those [names] that are known only to You. [I turn to You in Your name] and ask you to make the Quran the spring of my heart, the light of my soul and the reason for the disappearance of my sadness, the end of my anxiety.

Allahumma innii a'uuzu bikya minal-hammi wal-hazan, wal-'ajzi wal-kyasal, wal-buhli wal-jubn, wa dola'id-dein wa galabatir-rijaal.

O Almighty, with Your help I am moving away from anxiety and sadness, from weakness and laziness, from stinginess and cowardice, from the burden of debt and human oppression.

Muslim prayers if there is danger

Allahumma innaa naj'alukya fii nuhuurihim, wa na'uuzu bikya min shuruurihim.

O Allah, we hand over their throats and tongues to You for judgment. And we resort to You, moving away from their evil.

Hasbunal-laahu wa ni'mal vakiil.

The Lord is enough for us, and He is the best Patron.

Muslim prayer to pay debts

Allahumma, ikfinii bi halayalik ‘an haraamik, va agnini bi fadlikya ‘am-man sivaak.

O Allah, make sure that what is permitted [halal] protects me from what is forbidden [haram] and make me, by Your mercy, independent of everyone except You.

Muslim prayers when visiting a sick person

Laya ba's, tahuurun inshaa'el-laakh (dvaraza).

Translation: No problem, you will be cleansed with the permission of the Lord.

The second option, the prayer should be said seven times:

As'elul-laakhal-'azim, rabbel-'arshil-'azim ai yashfiyak.

I ask the Great Creator, the Lord of the great Throne, for your healing.

Morning prayer - Fajr: how many rakats, time. Prayer in Islam

One of the five pillars of Islam is namaz, prayer, with the help of which a person conducts a dialogue with the Almighty. By reading it, a Muslim pays tribute to devotion to Allah. Performing namaz is obligatory for all believers. Without it, a person loses contact with God and commits a sin, for which, according to the canons of Islam, he will be severely punished on the Day of Judgment.

It is necessary to read namaz five times a day at a strictly prescribed time. Wherever a person is, no matter what he is doing, he is obliged to pray. Morning prayer is especially important. Fajr, as Muslims also call it, has enormous power. Its fulfillment is equivalent to a prayer that a person would read all night.

What time do you perform morning prayer?

Fajr prayer should be performed early in the morning, when a white stripe appears on the horizon and the sun has not yet risen. It is during this period of time that devout Muslims pray to Allah. It is advisable that a person begins the sacred action 20-30 minutes before sunrise. In Muslim countries, people can be guided by the adhan coming from the mosque. It’s more difficult for people living in other places. How do you know when to perform Fajr prayer? The time of its occurrence can be determined by a special calendar or schedule called Ruznama.

Some Muslims use mobile applications for these purposes, for example “Prayer Time ® Muslim Toolbox”. It will help you know when to start your prayer and determine the qibla, the direction in which the holy Kaaba is located.

In the Arctic Circle, where day and night last longer than usual, it is more difficult for people to decide on the time at which to perform namaz. Fajr, however, must be performed. Muslims recommend focusing on the time in Mecca or in a nearby country, where the change of day and night occurs at a normal rhythm. The last option is preferable.

What is the power of Fajr prayer?

People who regularly pray to Allah before sunrise show deep patience and true faith. After all, in order to perform Fajr, it is necessary to rise before dawn every day, and not sleep in a sweet dream, succumbing to the persuasion of the shaitan. This is the first test that the morning has in store for a person, and it must be passed with dignity.

People who do not succumb to shaitan and read prayer on time will be protected by the Almighty from adversity and problems until the next day. In addition, they will succeed in eternal life, because the observance of prayer will count for everyone on the Day of Judgment.

This prayer in Islam has enormous power, because on the eve of dawn, the angels of the passing night and the coming day are next to a person, who carefully watch him. Allah will then ask them what his slave was doing. The angels of the night will answer that, when leaving, they saw him praying, and the angels of the coming day will say that they also found him praying.

Stories of the Sahabah who performed the morning prayer against all odds

Fajr requires strict observance, no matter what circumstances arise in a person’s life. In those distant times, when the Prophet Muhammad was still alive, people performed real feats in the name of faith. They performed namaz in spite of everything.

The Sahabah, the companions of the Messenger of the Almighty, performed morning Fajr even when wounded. No misfortune could stop them. Thus, the outstanding statesman Umar ibn al-Khattab read a prayer while bleeding after an assassination attempt on him. He never thought of giving up serving Allah.

And the companion of the Prophet Muhammad Abbad was struck by an arrow at the moment of performing prayer. He pulled her out of his body and continued to pray. The enemy shot at him several more times, but this did not stop Abbad.

Sada ibn Rabi, who was also seriously wounded, died while performing prayer in a tent specially built for the sacred event.

Preparation for prayer: ablution

Prayer in Islam requires certain preparation. Before proceeding to any prayer, be it Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib or Isha, a Muslim is required to perform a ritual ablution. In Islam it is called voodoo.

A devout Muslim washes his hands (hands), face, rinses his mouth and nose. He performs each action three times. Next, the believer washes each hand up to the elbow with water: first the right, then the left. After this he wipes his head. With a wet hand, the Muslim runs along it from the forehead to the back of the head. Next, he wipes the ears inside and out. Having washed his feet to the ankles, the believer should complete his ablution with words of remembrance of Allah.

During prayer, Islam requires men to cover their bodies from the navel to the knees. The rules for women are stricter. It should be completely covered. The only exceptions are the face and hands. Under no circumstances should you wear tight or dirty clothing. The person’s body, his vestments and the place where he prays must be clean. If wudhu is not enough, you need to perform full body ablution (ghusl).

Fajr: rakats and terms

Each of the five prayers consists of rak'ahs. This is the name for one cycle of prayer, which is repeated two to four times. The quantity depends on what kind of prayer a Muslim performs. Each rakah includes a certain sequence of actions. Depending on the type of prayer, it may vary slightly.

Let's look at what fajr consists of, how many rakats a believer must perform and how to perform them correctly. Morning prayer consists of only two consecutive cycles of prayer.

Some of the actions included in them have specific names that came to us from the Arabic language. Below is a list of the most necessary concepts that a believer should know:

• niyat – intention to perform namaz;
• takbir - exaltation of Allah (the words “Allahu Akbar”, meaning “Allah is Great”);
• kyyam – staying in a standing position;
• sajda – kneeling position or prostration;
• dua - prayer;
• Taslim - greeting, the final part of the prayer.

Now let's look at both cycles of Fajr prayer. How to read a prayer, people who have only recently converted to Islam will ask? In addition to following the sequence of actions, it is necessary to monitor the pronunciation of words. Of course, a true Muslim not only pronounces them correctly, but also puts his soul into them.

First rakat of Fajr prayer

The first cycle of prayer begins with niyat in the qiyam position. The believer expresses his intention mentally by mentioning the name of the prayer.

Then the Muslim should raise his hands at ear level, touch his thumbs to his earlobes and point his palms towards the qibla. While in this position, he must recite takbir. It must be spoken out loud, and it is not necessary to do it out loud. In Islam, one can exalt Allah in a whisper, but in such a way that the believer can hear himself.

Then he covers the left hand with the palm of his right hand, clasping the wrist with the little finger and thumb, lowers his hands just below the navel and reads the first surah of the Koran “Al-Fatiha”. If desired, a Muslim can recite an additional chapter from the Holy Scriptures.

This is followed by a bow, straightening and sajdah. Next, the Muslim straightens his back, remaining in a kneeling position, once again prostrates himself before Allah and straightens up again. This concludes the performance of the rakat.

Second rakat of Fajr prayer

The cycles included in the morning prayer (fajr) are performed in different ways. In the second rak'ah there is no need to recite the niyat. The Muslim takes the qiyam position, folding his hands on his chest, as in the first cycle, and begins to recite Surah Al-Fatihah.

Then he makes two prostrations and sits on his legs shifted to the right side. In this position you need to say the dua “At-tahiyat”.

At the end of the prayer, the Muslim recites the Taslim. He pronounces it twice, turning his head first towards the right shoulder, then towards the left.

This ends the prayer. Fajr is performed by both men and women. However, they perform it differently.

How do women perform morning prayer?

When performing the first rakat, the woman should keep her hands at shoulder level, while the man raises them to his ears.

She makes a bow from the waist that is not as deep as a man, and while reading Surah Al-Fatiha, she folds her hands on her chest, and not below the navel.

The rules for performing the Fajr prayer for women differ slightly from those for men. In addition to them, Muslim women should know that it is prohibited to perform it during menstruation (haid) or postpartum bleeding (nifas). Only after being cleansed of impurity will she be able to perform the prayer correctly, otherwise the woman will become a sinner.

What should a person do if he misses his morning prayer?

It is worth touching on another important issue. What should a Muslim do if he missed his morning prayer? In such a situation, the reason why he made such an oversight should be taken into account. A person’s further actions depend on whether she is respectful or not. For example, if a Muslim set an alarm clock, deliberately went to bed early, but despite all his actions overslept, he can fulfill his duty to the Almighty at any free time, since, in fact, he is not to blame.

However, if the reason was disrespectful, then the rules are different. The Fajr prayer should be performed as quickly as possible, but not during those time periods when prayer is strictly prohibited.

When should prayer not be performed?

There are several such intervals in a day during which it is extremely undesirable to pray. These include periods

• after reading the morning prayer and before sunrise;
• within 15 minutes after dawn, until the luminary rises in the sky to the height of one spear;
• when it is at its zenith;
• after reading asra (afternoon prayer) until sunset.

At any other time, you can make up for the prayer, but it is better not to neglect the sacred action, because the pre-dawn prayer read on time, into which a person has put his heart and soul, as the Prophet Muhammad said, is better than the whole world, more significant than everything that fills it. A Muslim who performs Fajr at sunrise will not go to hell, but will be awarded great rewards that Allah will bestow on him.

Sacred traditions say that circumcision of Muslim men is an integral part of the sunnah (spiritual path) of the Prophet Muhammad himself, as well as his predecessors.

The very first prophet to undergo circumcision in Islam (khitan) was Ibrahim (in the Bible he is known as Abraham). According to collections of hadiths (Muslim legends), Ibrahim removed his foreskin when he was already an eighty-year-old man.

Collections of hadiths by Abu Dawud, Harb and Ahmad claim that the Messenger of Allah Muhammad himself demanded circumcision for all male adherents of Islam, even if they came to faith in adulthood.

It is also known from the same sources that on the seventh day after the birth of his grandchildren he slaughtered sheep and personally removed the foreskin from the children.

At what age do Muslims undergo circumcision? Traditionally, among all peoples who believe in Allah and his prophet, circumcision was performed before boys reached adulthood.

There is evidence that even at the beginning of our era, the Arabs, Persians, and Turks did not neglect the ritual even during the Ottoman Empire. The holiday of circumcision among Muslims was necessarily accompanied by ritual sacrifices.

The holy book - the Koran - remains completely silent regarding Muslim circumcision. However, other ancient sources describe the ritual of circumcision in Islam and argue for its necessity in some detail.

What is the name of circumcision among Muslims? Hitan, as we said above. We have figured out the essence of circumcision among Muslims, then you can see how congratulations on circumcision occur among Muslims.

Gallery

Below is a photo of circumcision among Muslims:




Now that you have seen in the photo how Muslim men are circumcised, let's talk about the terminology of this ritual.

Definition of the term Wajib

Wajib is a mandatory rule in Sharia - the code of Muslim religious laws - a rule for which there is strong evidence for implementation. Performing wajib is an honorable act and is encouraged among Muslims, and denying it is considered a serious sin.

Among Shiites, male circumcision among Muslims is classified as wajib: they argue that an uncircumcised man cannot be considered a devout follower of Allah and is prohibited from pilgrimage to Mecca.

What is Sunnat circumcision?

In Islamic terminology Sunnat is a desirable act, an intention that is not subject to unquestioning fulfillment. This word gave the name to a whole movement among Muslims - Sunnis.

Many of the Islamic theologians who belong to him believe that circumcision is a personal matter for every Muslim and refusal of this procedure will in no way cause the wrath of Allah.

Is circumcision compulsory for a Muslim? According to other adherents of Islam - Koranites, not necessarily. They have a negative view of circumcision because it is not mentioned in the Qur'an.

The Korans say that this holy book regards man as a perfect creation of Allah, not requiring artificial modifications.

Why are Muslims circumcised?

For Muslims, circumcision is a kind of symbol of faith, symbolizing the connection between them and Allah. The man who performed circumcision fulfilled the will of the highest deity and the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad, thereby cleansing himself of earthly filth.

So, why do Muslim men undergo circumcision? Some theologians consider the removal of the foreskin a sign of Allah's covenant, some special mark on the body indicating God's protection.

What does circumcision mean for Muslims? By cutting off the material in the form of skin around the penis, a Muslim eradicates evil in his heart - envy, anger, hypocrisy, love of power and profit, pride, rivalry and cultivates in his soul love for the great Allah.

As you can see, the answer to the question: “Why do Muslims perform circumcision?” — is simple: “To eradicate everything bad and protect yourself from evil.”

Pros of the ritual

For Muslims, circumcision according to Islam has a number of undoubted advantages:




Important! Some Muslim women refuse to marry an uncircumcised male, explaining this by loyalty to ancient traditions and even the unaesthetic appearance of the penis.

At what age are Muslims circumcised?

Many are interested in the question: “When should Muslims perform circumcision?”, we answer: “There is no clear indication of the age at which circumcision is performed in the Muslim tradition.”

However, Islamic theologians advise faithful parents to perform the ceremony as soon as possible after birth, if the baby’s health allows.

It is best, in accordance with the legends about the life of the Prophet Muhammad, to remove the foreskin on the seventh day after the birth of the boy.

Reference! There are significant differences from this rule. Arabs perform circumcision at 5-6 or 12-14 years of age, Muslims of Malay origin at 10-13 years, Persians at 3-4 years, and Turkish residents at 8-13 years.

Some modern imams advise against circumcision between the ages of 3 and 7 years, explaining this as possible psychological trauma.

Is it possible to complete Khitan as an adult?

Even an adult man can undergo circumcision. When converting to the Islamic faith, this is not a necessary condition in most cases, however, if the future Muslim feels that his connection with Allah will be strengthened in this way, khitan is performed at any age.

So we come to the most important thing: “How does circumcision occur among Muslims?” Unlike the Jewish people, Muslims do not have a clearly regulated procedure for circumcision.

Therefore, the time and place of the ceremony can be very different. Islamic theologians agree that the skin around the penis should be cut off in such a way that the head remains completely exposed.

Important! Unlike circumcision among Jews, not only Muslim men, but also representatives of other religions are allowed to perform khitan.

How do Muslims perform circumcision? In infancy, it is not recommended to use anesthetic drugs during such an operation: for an infant it is extremely difficult to correctly calculate the dose, which can be fatal. At older ages, local anesthesia is acceptable.

Who performs circumcision for Muslims? Today, in most cases, Muslims are circumcised in medical institutions by qualified doctors.

How are Muslims circumcised? This ritual is performed using the following means:




Some adult Muslims prefer to do without pain relief during khitan: this will serve as proof of their willpower.

After the completion of the ceremony, a festive celebration is necessarily held. Circumcision is practiced less frequently in Islam than in Judaism, but is still encouraged and considered part of proper religious education in many cultures.

U my son has a friend Ramish, he is Azerbaijani by nationality. The boys study in the same class, go to chess school and judo together. Ramish’s parents and I take turns picking them up in the evenings from both the Children’s Art Center and the sports school. Therefore, we can say that we are already friends.

A little over a month ago, a member of their family, the younger brother of Murad, Ramish’s father, died in an accident. He was still very young, unmarried, and lived in their house. Therefore, the funeral, and then wake it was Murad and his wife Sevda who organized it. So for the first time in my life I visited Muslim wake(I did not participate in the funeral itself, because according to Islamic canons, this is prohibited for women, and especially those of other faiths).

The Vekilovs’ grief happened unexpectedly, but I still managed to find some information about how Muslim ceremonies are usually held. wake . I really didn’t want to get into trouble because of my own wrong behavior. Still culture at We are quite different. And I didn't regret it What I did it, otherwise I would definitely have messed up somewhere. For example, she could speak for table do something wrong during a meal or something else. And by the forties I had already read quite a lot of literature about Muslims and their attitude towards death, how they carry out their final journey and remember the deceased according to Sharia.

How Muslims remember their dead

First of all, I realized that Muslim funeralThe events are in many ways similar to our Christian ones. After all, the reason in both cases is the same: the death of a loved one. And it evokes a feeling in Muslim , and in the same Christian there is also one thing - grief. Moreover, about All religions interpret the departure of a person in the same way. Both claim that the life of the soul is eternal, What after death, the soul is responsible to the Almighty for a person’s earthly deeds, etc. Therefore, what the living do in the name of the departed (including wake), at Representatives of Islam and Christianity differ not in principle, but only in a number of customs.

And indeed, I cannot say that the Islamic version of commemoration seemed very exotic to me. Much was the same as ours. At the beginning, prayers were also read (only Muslim ones, of course). At the end they also distributed the same to those who came. funeral gifts (these were handkerchiefs and tea). What was new to me was Whatwomen sat separately from men, and during the ritual meal everyone was silent. They started talking about poor dead Nazir only after they got up from behind table . However, in general, Muslim funeral traditions have a lot of nuances. Some are explained by the requirements of Sharia, others stem from national customs. From my conversations with Sevda and from various books, I understood What in different places the canon is modified in its own way. Only a few unshakable remain rules which none of Muslims dare not violate.

AllMuslimsbe sure to remember their dead

on the 3rd, 7th, 40th days after death and a year later. After this, it is customary to visit the cemetery and remember the deceased with prayer and alms every year on the day of death and on some Islamic holidays (Ramadan Bayram, Eid al-Fitr, Kurban Bayram and Navruz). At the same time, as I understand it, neither the Holy Quran nor any hadiths explain why the dead are commemorated on these days. The Prophet Muhammad, on the contrary, said that remembering your dead and visiting their graves is good literally at any time. This is sunnah (path, tradition). Apparently, specific deadlines funerals were established according to some long-standing customs, and after that Sharia simply did not declare them a sin - haram.


At the same time, often Muslims even increase the number funeral events. For example, in accepted in many families after the death of a loved one keep the doors of the house open every Thursday until the 40th day. On this day, everyone who comes is treated to tea and sweets. Some peoples There is a rule to “burn a Thursday candle” throughout the first postmortem year. In the early 2000s I visited Abkhazia at acquaintances and myself was a participant in such weekly Thursday meetings in a neighbor’s house. There they lit a candle for the soul of the deceased aunt of the owner of the family and covered it for her table . This The custom of feeding the deceased is very important for Abkhazians. The fire was supposed to burn from sunset until 12 o'clock at night. During this time, almost all the nearby neighbors managed to stop by for tea and blue figs (my aunt loved them very much during her lifetime), and sometimes even men came.

Some believers (mainly Shiites) have special commemorationsorganized on the 52nd day after death. Counts, What this is the period of complete decomposition of the body, when the bones are freed from the flesh. This process is described as very difficult and painful for the deceased, so the deceased must be supported by joint prayer and meals. Azerbaijanis also adhere to a similar custom. On the 52nd day (as well as on the 1st and 3rd) they usually apply for table halva and other sweets. And neighbors and acquaintances are served the same halva, wrapped in thin pita bread.

What arerules wakeaccording to Sharia?

1. First of all, we must remember What according to the canon 3 days in the house of the deceased in general you cannot eat any food. This attitude was probably associated with the call to pray as much as possible for the deceased and think about him. After all, it is through pious memories and prayers that one can ease the posthumous fate of a loved one. And worries about how to feed someone only distract from the spiritual.
2. To the house where the death occurred, the family must call all relatives. Those, in turn, may refuse to participate in the funeral and wake only as a last resort.
3. An important rule is expressing condolences to the family members of the deceased, the Koran requires it. But you cannot condole twice over the same death.
4. Be sure to go to the house wake you should try to invite the imam. He will preach a sermon and give the necessary instructions.
5. It is considered equally important reading the Koran. This can be done by the imam, or in his absence, by the eldest man in the family. Surah Yasin, which is sometimes called the heart of the Koran, is usually recited first. It helps in any difficult circumstances, lightens the heart and transforms difficulties.
6. Funeralthe meal should be modest. Dishes are preferable to ordinary ones, those that are typical for everyday life. table . Luxurious foods are considered haram (sin).
7. Men and women should remember the deceased not only for different tables, but also in general in different rooms.
8. For funeral food you can't talk.
9. After the wake it is required to offer prayers to the Almighty for the soul of the deceased, recall departed person kind words.
10. In addition to retribution in word and food, according to the canon it follows in the name of the deceased distribute sadaqah (go haer)- alms. Previously, she was given gifts to the poor and wretched, and part of the funds and things were given to the imam and the mosque. Now sadaqah is given in a circle to everyone sitting at table , and also pass it on to absent relatives and neighbors.
11. Can't organize wake at the expense of the deceased or at borrowed money.
12. At the wake you can't cry, and even more so to lament or otherwise strongly express grief. After all, death is for Muslim - This is a manifestation of the will of Allah and even a kind of joy. It allows the faithful to ascend to the Almighty.

As I already said, Sharia is Sharia, but everywhere there are national subtleties and customs of organization wake . They are especially pronounced at peoples in whose culture Islam is closely intertwined with ancient pagan beliefs. This can be said, for example, about some ethnic groups of our Caucasus. But even in primordially Muslim countries you can find all sorts of peculiarities of seeing off the soul to the Gardens of Allah.


Here in Turkey, For example, wake spend food only after 40 days after death and even in the later years. In some areas of the country, instead of the anniversary, they celebrate six months. Funeral food is usually extremely scarce. Walnut halva is considered a must-have dish., and sometimes they don’t serve anything other than it. But in Turkish villages it is still considered correct to also cook pilaf. But in the same Azerbaijan on wake They prepare so many things that the uneaten food then has to be distributed to everyone who wants it. And themselves funeral days pretty much ruin the families of the dead, so What even the country’s authorities want to legally prohibit crowded and abundant wake .

Funeraltable

in different Muslim countries (and even in areas of these countries) is rarely the same. But there are also dishes that are considered mandatory almost everywhere. For example, almost always on Islamic wake prepare various kinds of sweets. As they say, in order for the deceased to have a sweet life with the Almighty. Usually with dessert and tea references always begin. In most cases it is served hot, mostly broth with homemade noodles(without potatoes). Counts, What The steam from such a soup helps the soul ascend to Heaven.

Everything meat co sure, it must be halal, that is, allowed according to the canon. It is made from chicken, beef, lamb, but in no case from pork. Meat dishes usually vary from place to place. It could be dolma, goulash, fried chicken, and so on. In many places on wake Pilaf is prepared from meat or with dried fruits, sweet. It is not forbidden to various cereals, fish dishes and all kinds of seafood. All this is washed down with water with honey, juices, mineral water. But of course, Under no circumstances should you drink alcohol! It is strictly prohibited by Shariah.

By the way, I also learned that What Nowadays, many cafes and restaurants offer clients the organization of Muslim wake with strict adherence to all due canons. For such events, only those products are purchased whose halal nature is confirmed by special certificates. And, as a rule, cooks cook from them Muslims.

National customs


organizations wake also not the same. For example, in Turkey, women and men gather and stay in different rooms all the time. In Azerbaijan, they are simply at their tables - men's and women's. And in the countries of Central Asia, women, men, and children often remember everything together. For such public events, even in the courtyards of apartment buildings, special structures are provided in the form of stone perimeters, over which an awning can be easily stretched. That's where people gather. Pilaf and tandoori flatbreads for the wake can be prepared here in cauldrons and ovens. While all this is in progress, tea and halva are taken out of the house, with which the meal begins. After refreshments and prayers, everyone goes to the cemetery.

In Azerbaijan to all participants wake necessary wash your hands with rose water. It is believed that this procedure will help the soul of the deceased enter Heaven. This is also facilitated by a special funeral dish, which is served in some areas of the country - samani. These are sprouted grains of wheat, symbolizing rebirth and immortality.

The most unusual wake for yourselfI saw it in Abkhazia. True, only from the outside, I wasn’t there myself. I was just visiting my friends when at their next-door neighbor's son died. So I observed everything that was happening directly from the gazebo in the yard of my owners.

These wakes which were held on the 3rd day after the funeral are considered at Abkhazians are not too crowded. For forties and anniversaries, usually between 250 and 500 people gather. At that time I very roughly counted about 95. They said What there could have been more, but the situation there was delicate. The guy’s body was brought from a Russian zone for criminals, where he ended up because of drugs. And before he got there, he quarreled with many people in Gudauta (that’s where it happened). There were already few people from here, mostly close relatives and neighbors (community members), and a few friends.


For funeral tables the men made a large canopy, which they covered with a tarpaulin, and knocked down the tabletops and benches from the boards. The men cooked hominy over a fire in huge cauldrons. Other fire pits were set up by women for cooking boiled beans and chicken kharcho. And the girls were assigned to making a special Abkhaz snack from ground hazelnuts. Members of the society brought chickens for hot meals. Each family was supposed to have at least 2 carcasses, and preferably more. You were also supposed to take with you adjika, tomatoes, fruits, pita bread, herbs and homemade cheese. So table the whole team gathered. I was later told What On fortieth day it is customary to bring sacrificial animals. If a woman died, then sheep and heifers, and for men, rams and bulls. They are slaughtered and butchered with special spells, and the meat is cooked in communal cauldrons.

I have learned that in the room where the coffin with the body stood, they covered a separate table for the deceased, mainly with all sorts of sweets. Then at the beginning of the meal they were brought out to those who came. After this, one could begin to commemorate the deceased with all other food. To my surprise, they did it all quite animatedly, even cheerfully. If I didn't know What people gathered for a mournful occasion, I would have thought that this was some kind of holiday. Dressed children were running and playing around the canopy, boys and girls were clearly flirting with each other, women were gossiping and men were talking sedately. People communicated with all their might and on different topics. Wake clearly became a good collective holiday for them.

Perhaps this general revival was partly due to the fact that in Abkhazian wakeDrinking is not prohibited. Their Muslims Don’t get too hung up on the Islamic prohibition of drinking alcohol. There was both dry wine and chacha on the tables, although the family was devout. And for tables no one was silent, and, as far as I could see, toasts were said. By the way, women also took part in the common meal, although not all of them. Most of them served food, clean glasses and plates, and removed dirty and empty dishes. After the end of the event, they unanimously removed everything from tables and sat down to drink coffee, and the men scattered around the area, visiting friends.


The youth gathered in a large vacant lot nearby and organized national dances. By the way, as I later found out, in all these entertaining moments in Abkhazian wake there was nothing disrespectful towards the deceased or his family. JustatFor Abkhazians, competitions in dancing, horse racing, horse riding, and other things in honor of the departed are an ancient custom. At Slavic funeral feasts they also did not cry, but saw off the soul of the deceased with dignified joy.

Everything I saw, heard, read and thought about told me one thing: we are not so different from each other. Our customs and beliefs prove rather that What people are very similar, no matter what religion they profess. This commonality becomes especially noticeable in their tragic moments. That's wake true believers (even if we mean rules Sharia) are practically no different, except for minor discrepancies, from Christian ones, organized according to church canons. By the way, departure from strict religious norms for both leads to the same excesses and unpleasant moments.