Religion

Ramadhan - anniversary of the Holy Quran

The month of Ramadhan in the Islamic calendar has double significance for Muslims. This is the month of fasting, but, Muslims also commemorate the first revelation of the Holy Quran 1400 years ago to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him). The importance of this month is profound for Muslims and is considered the blessed month in the Islamic calendar.

While the importance and benefits of fasting are widely known, the revelation of Holy Quran has received less attention than it should have. Muslims believe the Holy Quran to be a divine source of knowledge. To emphasise its Divine Authorship; Prophet Muhammad called Holy Quran as the greatest miracle - the pinnacle of all miracles.

So, the question arises - what makes a Holy Quran the greatest of all miracles? There are many criteria to list but it is the science aspects of the Holy Quran which is the most fascinating and verifiable.

There are many branches of sciences Holy Quran reveals. However, I have chosen to highlight the fascinating subject of astronomy. Here are some samples:

Creation of the universe: ‘The big bang’

The creation of the universe is explained by astrophysicists in a widely accepted phenomenon, popularly known as the ‘Big Bang’. According to the ‘Big Bang’ theory, the whole universe was initially one big mass (Primary Nebula) and a mighty secondary separation (Big Bang) resulted in the formation of Galaxies.

These then divided to form stars, planets, the sun, the moon, etc. The origin and the complexities of the universe are so unique that the probability of it occurring by ‘chance’ is zero. The Quran explains the origin of the universe in its own inimitable style:

“Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together (as one unit of creation), before We (We is a Royal plural) clove them asunder?” [Al-Quran 21:30]

The striking congruence between the Quranic verse and the ‘Big Bang’ is inescapable! How could a book, which first appeared in the deserts of Arabia 1400 years ago, contain this profound scientific truth?

Scientists say that celestial matter was initially in the form of gaseous matter before the galaxies in the universe were formed. The following Quranic verse refers to this state of the universe:

“Moreover, He comprehended In His design the sky, And it had been (as) smoke: He said to it and to the earth: ‘Come ye together, willingly or unwillingly.’ They said: ‘We do come (together), in willing obedience.” [Al-Quran 41:11]

Again, this fact is a corollary to the ‘Big Bang’ and was not known to the Arabs during the time of Prophet Muhammad. What then, could have been the source of this knowledge?

The Sun rotates

For a long time, European philosophers and scientists believed that the earth stood still in the centre of the universe and every other body including the Sun moved around it.

In the West, only in 1609 the German scientist Yohannus Keppler published the ‘Astronomia Nova’ concluded that not only do the planets move in elliptical orbits around the sun, they also rotate upon their axis at irregular speeds.

Even after these discoveries, it was thought that the Sun was stationary and did not rotate about its axis like the Earth. Consider the following Quranic verse:

“It is He Who created the night and the day, And the sun and the moon: All (the celestial bodies) swim along, each in its rounded course.” [Al-Quran 21:33]

Most of the school textbooks have incorporated the fact that the Sun rotates about its axis once every 25 days. In fact, the Sun travels through space at roughly 150 miles per second, and takes about 200 million years to complete one revolution around the center of our Milky Way Galaxy.

“It is not permitted to the sun to catch up the moon, nor can the night outstrip the day: Each (just) swim along in (its own) orbit (according to Law).” [Al-Quran 36:40].

“The Sun runs its course to a settled place (Solar Apex). That is the decree of the Almighty, the All Knowing.” (Al- Quran 36:38).

This verse mentions an essential fact discovered by modern astronomy, i.e. the existence of the individual orbits of the Sun and the Moon, and their journey through space with their own motion.

The ‘settled place’ towards, which the sun travels, carrying with it the solar system, has been located exactly by modern astronomy. It has been given a name, the Solar Apex. The solar system is indeed moving in space towards a point situated in the constellation of Hercules (alpha Layer) whose exact location is firmly established.

One cannot help but be amazed at the scientific accuracy of the Quranic verses. Should we not ponder over the question: “What was the source of knowledge contained in the Quran?”

The death of the Sun

The light of the sun is due to a chemical process on its surface that has been taking place continuously for the past five billion years. It will come to an end at some point of time in the future when the Sun will be totally extinguished leading to extinction of all life on earth. Regarding the Sun’s impermanence existence the Holy Quran says:

“And the Sun runs its course for a period determined for it; that is the decree of (Him) The Exalted in Might, The All-Knowing.” [Al-Quran 36:38]

It is not even common knowledge even today, to believe that the Sun moves and will settle in a fixed place and finally extinguish. How can an illiterate Arab from the desert, when the whole world at that time believed that the world was flat, with no telescope to help have such astounding knowledge in Astronomy 1400 years ahead of time!

The Expanding universe

In 1925, an American astronomer by the name of Edwin Hubble, provided observational evidence that all galaxies are receding from one another, which implies that the universe is expanding.

The expansion of the universe is now an established scientific fact. This is what Al-Quran says regarding the nature of the universe: “The heaven, We have built it with power. Verily, We are expanding it.” [Al-Quran 51:47]

Stephen Hawking, in his book, ‘A Brief History of Time’, says, “The discovery that the universe is expanding was one of the great intellectual revolutions of the 20th century.” The Holy Quran mentioned the expansion of the universe, before man even learnt to build a telescope!

Tuan Riza Rassool
Texas, USA

Important events in a Hindu family and the rituals

E. Weerapperuma

Hindu community is governed by special customs akin to their community. These customs cover events of their lives from birth to death. They are known as Samskaras or purification rites.

Customs which govern the lives of the Hindus have a long history and they are sacrosanct. However these customs have undergone changes during the course of time and it is said that everyone does not practice everything prescribed therein. The Hindus strongly believe in astrology and act upon the horoscope given by the Brahmin priests.

The customs are numerous and Birth Rite is one of the customs they observe before and after the birth of a new member to the family. It is part of the custom for the parents to be, the husband and wife to pray and offer sacrifices before a child is born. This is called the Birth Rite.

The wife goes to her mother’s house during the “moment of confinement” and avoids inauspicious things and persons as they believe it could have bad effects on the child to be born.

They use the Magosa leaves to dispel evil spirits and prepare a special room for the expectant mother. While the whole family is said to be unclean for 30 days and if any one happens to visit them, it is considered as contaminating with the unclean family.

Once the child is born the observance of the purification rite and the new born child is welcomed to the family performing certain rites by the father. This is known as the “Jatha Karma” wishing for long life and wisdom etc.

When the child is about 10 to 12 days after birth a ceremony is held to give him a name of a divine being and this is called “Nama Karma”. At the completion of six months the child is fed with solid food and this ceremony is known as the “Anabhiprasthi”.

Within the first three years of birth, the new baby undergoes shaving of the head and it is known as

 “Chulakaranam”. There are other customs such as Karma Vedanam or ear-ring ceremony, “Vidya Arambha” ceremony, that is initiating to learn the alphabet and when a child is seven years old he is introduced to religious practices called “Diksha” initiation ceremony and it is performed by “Purohitha”, the family priest.

Brahmin receives their “Upnayana” (sacred scripture) exclusively reserved for the boys. Father of the boy will find out a “aacharya” to bring up the boy in the life of purity until the time of marriage.

The teacher gives him the `holy tread’ and he learns `Manthram’, receives religious instructions, the sacred syllable stands for the divinity. They begin to pronounce “OM” and the priests, parents and relatives present them with gifts.

Age of puberty is announced as a good news to the villages by beating the drums. Friends and relatives are informed of it. The girl has to live a secluded life for 30 days. There will be a ceremonial bath to the girl at the completion of the `living alone’ period. The period she lives away from the rest of the community.

She is given eggs and gingili oil. At the end of the period she will be washed off her impurities. Horoscope will be consulted. In the past girls stopped attending school after puberty.

Hindu Marriage is a very colourful and rich ceremony. The majority of the Hindus stick to the important aspects of the ceremonial rites. The marriage for them is very sacred, and the customs connected to this event gives them a very deep and profound knowledge of the “new life”.

The ceremony is so arranged to highlight the “faithfulness” in the married life. The narration of divine stories are meant to guide the new couple. Sex is something sacred and every natural inclination should be fulfilled within the married life. They consider men as neurotics who fail to fulfil these natural inclinations in an accepted manner.

According to “Vedas” marriage is arranged by the parents. But this is not the same always. Caste is a social status they consider. But today the marriage has turned to be a lover’s choice.

There are eight (8) types of marriages. In Sri Lanka what we witness most is the “brahmana” type of marriage. “Robbed” marriage. “Rakshaka” marriage, Marriage by force are some of the eight types. The rites of the marriage change according to the type of marriage.

The ear-ring ceremony for the bridegroom is one other custom connected with the Hindu marriage. The cooking is done on a auspicious day and the bride’s house was the venue of the wedding ceremony. They not only invite relatives and friends but also invites “Siva” and “Parvathie” and “Agni”.

They invite the spirits of the forefathers seeking their blessings.(Kalayanam=Wedding). The bride and bridegroom represent `Siva-Parvathie’. They are enthroned (Magul Pruwa). The wedding is to be purified to receive the blessing of gods. Today while observing the customs related to wedding, the ceremony take place away from the bride’s house.

Kumbam, the brass vessel, the `Puncalasa’ with coconut, a geometrically placed visible object represent various heavenly guests. They invite gods to the wedding through the recitation of the `mantras’. Kumba represent gods and water in it represent blood. Kumba is rested on nine kinds of grains.....Navathanium.

Beating of the drums, music are some form of purification, which has power to cast away the evils. The Hindus believe that the evil spirits like to move about “in auspicious places” and should be cast away.

There are Rites and Rituals the bride and the bridegroom have to go through and it is called the “Sankalpam” or “Thepai” ceremony.

Vigneshvara pooja involves God of luck, remover of all impediments. This is mainly done so that he may remove all the obstacles. A coconut is broken and the water runs out and thus the bloodless sacrifice is offered.

Punyabhavakanam is External purification. Sprinkling of Holy Water and the Thirtham represents seven rivers, Ganges, Saraswathie, Yamuna, Narmada, Godavila, Krishna (Indus Sindu) and Kaveri. North Indians take water from the river Sindu.

Ceremony for bridegroom : Panchakavium ( Internal purification) takes the five products of the cow: Milk, butter, ghee etc.

Raksha Bandanam is a bangle made of holy thread is tied round the right wrist of the bridegroom and Bride on the left hand. This is for the protection of life against evils and defilement. The determination to go through ceremonies till the last; even if death takes place.

Bride too goes through the above ceremony. She comes out and sits with the bridegroom at his right on the thrown. Then `Sankalpam’ takes place for the parents.

Homa, a Sacrificial fire is lit in their presence, representing Siva’s image and ask blessings of `Siva’. The fire too represent God `Agni’ and represents all the absent gods.

Sobananthantharasthan invokes the forefathers to bless the new couple. Kanyadhana parents give the daughter as a gift to the bridegroom.

Father of the bride worships the bridegroom and hands over the daughter to him. While the bridegroom keeps standing, the parents of the bride sit down turning towards the East.

Gothra Usha Dana calls to the fourth generation of both parties to bless the new couple.

Kali-kurai-salai Thali symbolising the marriage is put round the neck and holy ash is applied. Thali a symbol of a married woman. Then they go round the fire three times holding the little finger of the right hand, a sign for expecting male children. They exchange eatables. They are expected to see an auspicious object like a cow and a calf. The exchange of garlands symbolises two souls but one life.

Seven steps is a Vedic rite. A combine journey of life as one family they go their way taking seven steps. Step on the Stone: It is a sign to be firm in their married life. The union of the two should be faithful till the last. By this the bride shows her husband that she is faithful to him.

The visitors to the wedding bless them. Sprinkling of Iravu and rice, is also done. Removal of the bangle indicates that the ceremony is over. Waving of the auspicious light cast away the defects in the ceremony and cast away evil. This is done by two women.

Sinhala translation of Thafheemul Quran launched

Mohammed Naalir

COLOMBO: Islam is the way of life which comprises everything inevitable to the day to day life and one’s full life time, Supreme Court Judge Saleem Marsoof said.

Addressing at the launch of sixth volume of Thafheemul Quran Sinhala translation at Darul Iman auditorium Justice Marsoof said that Prophet Muhammad was sent to the world as a gift.

If one follows Al Quran and the Sunnah he will never choose the wrong path. Justice Marsoof said that Allah revealed the Quran to the world in the month of Ramazan, and thus the Thafheemul Quran sinhala translation is very useful and appropriate.

When Prophet Muhammad was sent to the world he showed the way of living.

He said nobody can make alterations in the meanings of Al Quran verses. Al Quran can be easily understood by all who are poor in Arabic literature.

Moulana Abul Ala Maududi has made a significant and invaluable contribution though this Thafheemul Quran to protect the Islam and Muslims from devastation in an era in which the Muslim community was attracted by western culture and went on a wrong path. The Thafheemul Quran is a bridge that helps to understand the meaning of Al Quran. Through this one can reach the perfect meaning of Al Quran.

As this is a holy month the Muslims all over the world concentrate on Al Quran and read it frequently. So the attempt to launch the Sinhala translation of the Thafheemul Quran should be appreciated.

In addition Justice Marsoof said that translating a book into another language is not an easy task. The Translator of Thafheemul Quran has done his job very well.

Addressing the event Sri Lanka Jamathe Islami former President Moulavi M.U. Sayyid Muhammad said that Moulana Abul Ala Maududi is the Author of Thafheemul Quran. Moulana’s books began to come to Sri Lanka from 1944. Moulana’s books are available in Sri Lanka in three languages.

The attempt to translate the Thafheemul Quran is being held in Tamil Nadu India. The Tamil translation of Thafheemul Quran will also be available in Sri Lanka shortly.

“Moulana Sheid Abul Ala Maududi was only an islamic theologian who eradicated the misconception about Islam that prevailed among Muslims and the non Muslims,” he added.

He formulated a permanent Institution to work for Islam and to lead the Muslim community in the correct path.

He said nearly 40 per cent of Muslim students are studying in Sinhala medium. They have no books to understand Islam. This is a great attempt to make them aware of the Islam principles.This is also one of the attempts to make the Sinhala community aware about what is meant by Islam in order to stress unity among diverse communities.

The first copy of the Thafheemul Quran was launched in 1982, he added.

Essay and photography competition

In view of the forthcoming Saraswathi Pooja festival, The Hindu Association of Lake House is organising an All-island Tamil Essay and Photography competitions. The Essay competition will be held for Intermediate (Grade 9-11) and Upper (12-13) groups. Each group has a choice of three topics.

First five essays will receive cash awards and the second five will receive consolation prizes and certificates. Photographs reflecting the Hindu culture, celebration or its significance can be sent by post for the Photography Competition. There is no age limit for this competition.

Topics for the Essay competition, the terms and conditions and the address are being published in Thinakaran Daily and Varamanjeri. Closing date is October 10. For more details purchase Thinakaran.