https://www.site/2017-06-27/reportazh_site_kak_zhdut_i_prazdnuyut_urazu_bayram_v_dagestane

Festival of colored eggs

Website report: how Eid al-Fitr is expected and celebrated in Dagestan

Ekaterina Vinokurova / website

Eid al-Fitr is one of the main Muslim holidays, which marks the end of the month of Ramadan and the holy fast that lasts all this time. Muscovites, and residents of many other Russian regions, are already habitually associated with reports about crowds of bearded men praying at the capital’s mosques. A Znak.com correspondent looked at how Muslims celebrate the holiday in Dagestan, one of the Islamic regions of Russia.

On Saturday, on the eve of the holiday of breaking the fast, there is silence at the Makhachkala airport. You can hardly find at least one working cafe, and even the machines selling water, carbonated drinks and simple snacks are turned off on this day. On Saturday, Muslims mark the last day of the fast, that is, the fast they kept throughout the holy month of Ramadan. Throughout the month, Muslims are prohibited from eating, drinking, or even swallowing saliva from sunrise to sunset.

This month is a dead month for grocery trade and catering in Makhachkala. Most shops and establishments are simply closed during the day, and only after eight in the evening do they begin to work briefly - until midnight or until one in the morning.

Ekaterina Vinokurova / website

There are posters everywhere: “Congratulations on the holy month of Ramadan.” There are quotes from the Koran and sayings of the Prophet about the importance of fasting. Invitations to the evening meal hang on mosques for the poor to take advantage of.

With all this, Dagestan is a region within the Russian Federation, which means it is a completely secular republic, so there are still working establishments and shops. Familiar Dagestanis advised: no one will force you to fast, but you should not eat or drink in front of those who are fasting. That is, those who adhere to religious traditions should be treated with respect.

There was one incident in all these days. I'm buying coffee to go from a kiosk, and a man suddenly flies up to me.

- How dare you? Now it's fasting! In Dagestan they can even punch you in the face for this!

“Actually, we live in a secular state, and there is no one around,” I object.

Locals say that this is still an exception. There are no more overly fanatical people in Dagestan than in the rest of Russia. And making comments to each other is generally not accepted here.

It's time to dispel two stereotypes about Dagestan. The first stereotype is that it is dangerous to go there: a stranger will be immediately kidnapped, or even killed. But that's not true. Now the republic is quite quiet, and the level of street crime is one of the lowest in Russia. The second stereotype is that women must wear almost a burqa upon arrival in Dagestan. But many local older women walk freely without a headscarf and even in short dresses, and the capital’s – Makhachkala’s – youth even dresses the same as their peers from non-Muslim regions.

Of course, there are many traditionally dressed women on the streets. But they don’t dress in blind black robes, but simply in long dresses and colored scarves. There is often the option of combining a bright scarf with a European women's suit. And on the city beach you can meet women in open swimsuits. This doesn’t surprise anyone and, as far as I could see, it’s not annoying at all.

On Saturday evening, during prayer in the mosque, the mullahs announced: Eid al-Fitr begins on Sunday, June 25. The date of the holiday is calculated every year by the muftis; it depends on the time of the new moon. Therefore, literally until the last day there is some uncertainty: for example, this year it could happen that the holiday will come a day later - on June 26.

Lent ended, but on the first holiday there were even more closed stores. Interestingly, the city also became even less crowded, which, however, is understandable: the night before, a huge traffic jam stretched from Makhachkala to rural areas. Eid al-Fitr is a family holiday, and people - from ordinary workers to high-ranking officials - go to their native villages to visit and congratulate relatives. On the other hand, many of those who already permanently live in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other large cities outside the republic come to Makhachkala.

The holiday will last three days, and all of them have been declared non-working days in the republic.

It is impossible to get to the mosque on holidays. Muslim tradition requires men to perform namaz in the mosque, but women do not have to do this. Therefore, women pray at home - there is not enough space for them in mosques.

Already in the morning, children with open packages run up to the hotel doors. They are immediately poured with candies and other sweets. This is one of the holiday traditions, very similar to Christmas caroling. So children run from house to house (in high-rise buildings, respectively, from apartment to apartment), where sweets are specially stored for them in advance. Pour generously into bags, in handfuls.

Ekaterina Vinokurova / website

Evgeniy is Russian, but he has been living in Dagestan for decades. He says that Russian families also stock up on sweets for neighboring children, supporting local traditions. Relations with neighbors are sacred here.

I was invited to one of the families to see how the holiday was celebrated. I am accompanying Naida, a former employee of local radio. We are going to visit her friends. According to tradition, it is celebrated in two halves - male and female - although these days this is not necessary. The same family, for example, had a mixed celebration last year. It took place inside the house, men and women sat side by side. This time they celebrate in the garden. For men, tables are set under a tent, while women sit at a table in an air-conditioned annex.

Most of the men are wearing festive white shirts. Women are also dressed traditionally: in colorful long dresses and scarves, but there are also those who remain bareheaded.

Guests are greeted by the grandmother of the owner of the house.

— The holiday of Uraza Bayram was celebrated in Dagestan even in Soviet times. My husband was an imam, they told him: either give it all up, or we’ll be expelled from the party. He said - exclude it. But in general, people in the villages were loyal to the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, this is such a tradition. Only back then we cooked everything ourselves, but now we buy some of the dishes,” my grandmother tells us and treats us to festive halva.

Halva has ritual significance in Dagestan. It is always eaten on all significant occasions: at holidays, at weddings and even at funerals. Halva is prepared like this: butter is melted over a fire, and flour is added in a thin stream. Then sprinkle with powdered sugar and allow to harden.

There is no alcohol on the men's tables, much less on the women's tables. However, in the next few days I will hear a joke several times that Ramadan is over, which means I can afford to drink alcohol. But on the festive table, instead of strong drinks, there is spring water and fruit drink. Women run around the kitchen: preparing some dishes, cleaning others, changing plates, making tea. And, of course, they have time to discuss who married whom, who went where... And this also looks like part of the holiday. In addition to sweets, there are salads, fried meat dishes, dolma, cabbage rolls, vegetables, fruits, etc. on the table.

Another traditional dish is eggs with bright stickers. Just like Easter ones.

— These eggs are a traditional element of the Dagestan festive table on Eid al-Fitr. It looks like your Easter tradition, but God is one,” explains Naida.

While I am being introduced to the rest of the guests, and I am trying in vain to remember who is related to whom, the guests are still there. Many people come in for a short period of time to visit as many relatives and friends as possible—on average, about 200 guests pass through the house per day, Naida says. Not counting the children who run into the yard every now and then, getting their portions of sweets.

press service of the government of Dagestan

It’s not just family matters that are discussed in the kitchen and at the table. For example, women willingly support discussions on the topic of real criminal cases for posts on the Internet recognized as extremist. They also talk about Vladimir Putin: Dagestanis really liked the newsreels in which on June 22 the president stood without an umbrella in the pouring rain at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow. And only then he brushed off his jacket with brutal carelessness.

How in the land of inter-clan and religious conflicts they are preparing for parliamentary elections

To my question, which holidays - secular or religious - are more relevant in Dagestan, the answers were divided. Younger people said that the New Year is no less relevant for Dagestanis than Eid al-Adha. And representatives of the older generation noted that both holidays, of course, are good. But the religious one is a little more important, because it is in Dagestan that it has a family character, when different generations come together.

My friend was sitting at the men's table. He later said that there was a lively discussion about the last fight of Alexander Emelianenko, the Confederations Cup (just the day before, on Saturday, the Russian team lost to Mexico and left the tournament) and the sports successes of relatives and friends. People in Dagestan love sports.

When the time comes to say goodbye, the guest is given a small gift.

— Grandma starts buying gifts for Eid al-Fitr six months before the holiday. This year, men are given socks and women are given headscarves. It’s especially convenient for men: you visit several houses in a day, and you can collect a supply for the next holiday,” the housewives joke.

The festivities continue for two more days. In the mountain villages, where people from the capital go to visit and congratulate relatives, people are dressed even brighter and richer than in Makhachkala itself. Women choose bright dresses, often embroidered with beads or sequins, as if they were going to a wedding. Old people wear traditional hats. And by the end of the third day there are traffic jams again on the approaches to Makhachkala. People are returning from their ancestral villages to everyday urban and almost secular life.

I intend to fast...

Translated from Arabic, the word “sawm” means “abstinence from something”, and in religious terminology it means a special abstinence required from a special person at a special time.

How should you fast?

Despite the fact that devout Muslims fast throughout the month of Ramadan, everyone experiences feelings at the end of the day of fasting, that is, at the moment of breaking the fast, that are different from the feelings of their brother or sister. Some experience fatigue and indifference, some claim that just at the beginning of the time when eating is already allowed, the appetite disappears, some experience joy and gratitude.

They are waiting for him and yearning for him

Blessed month of Ramadan! How majestic and beautiful he is! A month that comes once a year, a month for which the entire Muslim ummah awaits! Millions of Muslims rejoice at the onset of the blessed Ramadan and feel sad when it passes. And Muslims wait for him again and again.

How to behave in the month of Ramadan?

The main requirements of fasting are not only the obligatory refusal of food, drink and love affairs, from dawn to dusk, but also dedication to serving the Almighty, diligence and sincere worship of Allah in order to earn His pleasure. Fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam entrusted to us by the Almighty.

Fasting in the month of Ramadan

Fasting, or as it is also called fasting, is one of the five pillars of Islam. The faith of one who denies the obligation to observe it is invalid. Fasting (sawm) in Arabic means “abstinence.” And according to Sharia, this is abstinence from food, drink, sexual relations and everything that breaks fasting during daylight hours.

Advantages of the month of Ramadan

The holy month of Ramadan is special. There is a saying (hadith) of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), which says that with the onset of the month of Ramadan, the gates of Paradise open, the gates of hell close, and the devils are tied so as not to harm Muslims, not to lead them astray from the Path of Truth. If people knew all the benefits of the month of Ramadan, they would wish it to last forever.

The devils are tied and chained this month. The devils, who are sworn enemies of people, will have their hands and feet tied, so that they will not be able to do what they did in other months. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told all this as an instruction, encouraging us to perform a lot of worship this month and give up what is prohibited by religion.

Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the pillars of Islam. Allah Almighty ordered us to fast in one of the twelve months of the year and made this month the most fertile time in the entire year. Therefore, the main reason why we fast during the day and not at night is considered to be that this was the instruction of our creator Allah Almighty.

Skipping suhoor (meal before dawn) does not affect the validity of the fast, it is not considered a sin, and there is nothing wrong with it. However, getting up and eating before dawn (suhoor) is desirable (sunnah).

Religion is a real touch of the individual to the Higher powers of existence, a connection to transcendental, that is, otherworldly phenomena that exist at the level of the soul.

Question: What is the ruling of Shariah regarding the case when a master who works for me, while fasting, demands to be fed? I fed him, fearing that he would leave without finishing the work if I refused.

As we know, diabetes and other similar diseases and illnesses have different stages. Therefore, only a doctor who is well versed in the matter can answer this question. It is the doctor who can determine whether the condition of a particular patient allows him to fast.

Holy Ramadan called us on the road...

Once again the Muslims began their annual campaign. Lasting a month, this difficult transition is like a certain stage that must be passed through, calculating one’s strength and trying to reach the goal. They go on the road prepared and with good, worthy companions.

Fasting in Questions and Answers

What is the wisdom of assigning a fast to the Almighty?

– The first wisdom of fasting is that the Almighty forces the slave to express his submission to Him. A full-fledged fast awakens a person’s heart and helps him remember Allah. When a person experiences thirst and hunger, he will remember that he gave up food and drink for the sake of Allah (voluntarily), and that which is under His dominion and supervision.

How to celebrate and spend the blessed Ramadan?

The month of Ramadan is indeed a very important period for a Muslim, when none of them should not only miss the opportunity of special worship of Allah, but also compete with others in diligent worship.

Namaz-tarawih and its advantages

Tarawih prayer is a desired prayer (sunna prayer) performed during the month of Ramadan after the obligatory night prayer. It begins on the 1st night and ends on the last night of fasting. It is preferable to perform Tarawih prayers collectively in a mosque, but if this is not possible, then at home, together with family and neighbors. As a last resort, it can be done alone.

Features of fasting for women

A woman must fast during the month of Ramadan, just like a man. Only she needs to be more careful about her language, not to gossip, not to use foul language (although all this must always be observed). We must not forget that the month of Ramadan is a month of cleansing from sins. And the intemperance of our tongue can ruin our fast.

Holy month of Ramadan

The holy month of Ramadan is the most valuable month of the year. It is a special month for Muslims.

“The month of Ramadan is the month when the Quran was revealed - guidance for people (on the right path) and discrimination (between truth and falsehood)” (Sura 2, verse 185).

The hidden meaning of fasting in the month of Ramadan

The one who fasts is rewarded countlessly, his rewards are immeasurable, they surpass all imagination and imagination. And it is worthy to be so, for fasting is for the sake of Allah and we honor it by referring to Him, even if all the rites of worship [are performed] for the sake of Allah, just as Allah honored the Kaaba by referring it to Himself, while the whole earth is His, for two reasons.

Disapproved actions during fasting

Special postponement of breaking the fast, believing that it is noble. But while waiting for a group or in the absence of food to break the fast, it can be postponed.

Desirable actions in the month of Ramadan

There are six of them: delay eating (suhoor) as close as possible to the appearance of pre-dawn twilight; start breaking the fast (fitr) as quickly as possible...

Hadiths about fasting in the month of Ramadan

“The fast of one who does not give up lies, foul language, false oaths is not needed by Allah, Allah does not need him to fast”...

The Month of Lent is a time of perfection and hope

The Month of Fasting is a wonderful school,

For Muslims, every day is special.

Learning to always be strong in faith,

Itikaf

Itikaf is stopping somewhere and staying there for some time. And in Sharia this is staying in the mosque with the appropriate intention.

Secrets of Muslim fasting

Praise be to Allah, Who has allowed us to gain the blessings of the holy month this year too! The one who shows respect for this blessed month will rejoice, and the one who disrespects it will regret. Showing respect for the month of Ramadan means rejoicing at its approach and sadness at its end. Respect for this month will also include repentance from sins, moving away from them and spending time in pious worship of Allah.

Failure to fast in the month of Ramadan

Eid (fasting in the month of Ramadan) is one of the five pillars of Islam, the denial of which excludes full iman and Islam. Allah, by His message, in which he prescribed sawm (uraza), made it obligatory for healthy Muslims who have reached the age of majority and do not have valid reasons for refusing it.

Long-awaited guest

Once a year, the most awaited guest comes to every Muslim family. He comes and changes the way of life, cleanses the hearts. He leaves, leaving a feeling of irreparable loss, and makes you wait for his new arrival. Each subsequent year, knowing how those waiting languish, it arrives ten days earlier than the previous year. Because it is from the Most Gracious. He is a gift from Allah to those who submit to Him. Holy month of Ramadan.

I'tikaf - staying in the mosque

About how the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) spent the last ten days of the month of Ramadan. When the last ten days of the month [Ramadan] approached, he rolled up his bed, tightened his belt and worshiped diligently, and his loved ones with him.

What is desirable and what is not in the month of Ramadan?

It is not advisable to eat to your fill, especially during the month of Ramadan. On these days it is even better to reduce your food intake than on other days. Some Ulama say that the least of this is the regulation of food in the month of Ramadan.

The sin of one who does not fast without a good reason

Imams at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasai and Abu Dawud reported from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “ Whoever misses one day of fasting in the month of Ramadan without a valid reason (specified by Shariah), will not be able to make up for it for the rest of his life. " The meaning of this hadith is that for one missed day in Ramadan it is impossible to pay off by fasting for the rest of our lives, and not at all that we should not make up for what we missed.

Ramadan and construction work

Those who observe fasting cannot exhaust their body with excessive work. Therefore, with sincere trust in Allah Almighty, talk to your employer about the possibility of reducing the amount of work this month.

Six blessings of Suhoor in the month of Ramadan

The most appropriate description of the month of Ramadan is the word blessed. This word suits Ramadan from all angles. Grace means an increase, a multiplication of good, and it is certainly suitable for Ramadan, because in Ramadan both time and our actions become graceful, since for them we receive more rewards from Allah Almighty.

Dua after breaking the fast in the month of Ramadan

One of the desirable actions when breaking the fast is prayer (du`a) (meaning): “O my Allah, for Your sake I fasted and broke the fast given by You, I believed in You, for Your sake I became a Muslim, I trust in You, I hope in Your mercy, I turned to You - and the thirst passed, the blood vessels softened.

Waking up before dawn in the month of Ramadan

In the hashiyat (margin) of the book “At-targibwaat-tarhib” Mustafa Muhammad Ammarat writes: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) called us to rise before dawn, since it includes the remembrance of Allah, and the praise of Allah (tasbih), and reading the Koran, and performing tahajjud (sunnat prayer), and performing dawn prayer in a timely manner, i.e. this is a favorable time, suitable for these matters.”

Your dream will come true if you ask for it during the month of Ramadan

For a believer, only that which has value next to his Creator has value. If our prayer is so dear to the Lord of the worlds, then how can a Muslim not attach importance to this? Unhappy is the one whose heart has not known the sweetness of prayer.

Intimacy during Ramadan

If the husband is confident in himself, sure that by kissing his wife he will not get aroused and will not break the fast (by sexual intercourse, ejaculation, etc.), then even in this case, kissing his wife during fasting is undesirable.

Did your fast break? You still can't eat

Imsak is the renunciation of actions that break the fast, out of respect for the month of Ramadan, for those who did not fast (i.e., while their fast was invalid), along with the obligation to compensate for it.

Break your fast with dates in Ramadan

The hadith reported by at-Tirmidhi, an-Nisai, Ahmad and Abu Dawud says: “When one of you breaks his fast, let him break his fast with a date, for in this there is grace (barakat). If you don’t have a date, then break your fast with water, for this too is one of the purifying things.”

Hadiths on the value of fasting in the month of Ramadan

Imam al-Bukhari and Muslim quote from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): “Almighty and Great Allah said: “Every deed of the son of Adam is done by him for himself, except for fasting, for, truly , it (fasting) is for My sake, and I will repay for it.”

Ramadan is a month of great opportunities

Ramadan is another opportunity to change our situation, an opportunity to increase the number of good deeds we do, to try to leave the bad, an opportunity to strengthen our iman, to become closer to the Almighty, Ramadan is an opportunity, an opportunity, an opportunity...

Who can avoid fasting during the month of Ramadan?

Islam is a religion of relief and mercy for people. During the month of Ramadan, certain categories of people are allowed not to fast.

How do the chosen ones fast?

Know that fasting has three degrees: the fast of ordinary believers (sawm al'umum), the fast of the elect (sawm alhusus) and the fast of the specially chosen (sawm husus alhusus).

The grace of the pre-dawn meal

Suhur- the pre-dawn meal of Muslims before the start of the day's fasting in the month of Ramadan. Many people, especially in the summer when the night is short, do not consider it necessary to wake up for Suhoor, and, having eaten heavily at night, sleep. Suhur, of course, is not a condition for the validity of fasting, but it is the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and therefore one should not treat it carelessly.

Who wants to receive special gifts from the Almighty?

Fasting is a great service of worship. Allah says in the Koran: “I created people and jinn so that they would worship Me.” And one of these worships is fasting. The Almighty speaks about the prescribed nature of fasting, about its obligatory nature: “O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you just as it was prescribed for those who came before you, so that you may fear God.”

Freeing the body from the dominance of passions

Praise and gratitude to the Almighty, Who gave us the opportunity to celebrate the month of Ramadan, Who again gave us the opportunity to plunge into the bottomless ocean of His mercy and bounty, prepared for His beloved and obedient slaves in this sacred and highly revered month. We will tell you about the advantages and delights of Ramadan in this article.

Grace, forgiveness, liberation from the fire of Hell

Fasting is one of the duties of every healthy adult Muslim. It was prescribed as an obligation in the second year of the Hijri, and the month of fasting became Ramadan.

You fast, and they eat next to you?!

Sometimes, walking down the street, we see how some people, instead of fasting, eat, drink or gnaw seeds. Some are annoyed by this, others look away so as not to tempt themselves.

Is a fire worshiper better than a Muslim?

Sometimes, in search of information, journalists use such a technique as changing their profession. They can become taxi drivers, salesmen, and much more. For example, a work colleague, our friend, chose polygamy as a topic for articles. And in order not to be unfounded and to understand the problem from the inside, he took himself a second wife. As they say, I combined business with pleasure. But this technique cannot always be applied in practice.

Do we have a conscience?

It is impossible to turn a blind eye to people who disdain the Holy Month of Ramadan. One day, going to the market to buy groceries, I was surprised that more than half of the townspeople could not keep up.

Nausea during Ramadan

Pregnant women experience quite severe nausea in the morning, and some women experience nausea throughout the day, especially when they are hungry. Is it necessary to compensate posts in such a situation?

For whom is it sinful to fast?

It is sinful for a woman to fast during menstruation and during postpartum cleansing, and if she fasts, then this fast will not be valid.

In the city I arrived in, they started fasting later. What should I do?

What to do in such a situation when a person began to observe fasting together with the residents of his locality, and then set off on a journey to another locality, or vice versa, and the locality in which he arrived began to observe fasting a day before or after him ?

I have lost weight, how can I fast during the month of Ramadan?

Question: I have a question, I myself was thin, 49-50 kg, and now I’ve lost even more weight, I probably weigh 45 kg, everyone tells me: “Don’t fast, you’re already thin,” but I’m able to keep it , the only thing is that slight dizziness and cloudiness occur during fasting, it’s just that my husband tells me that I’ve lost a lot of weight, I’m afraid he won’t like me. He always tells me that I’m thin, but I’m offended... what should I do - keep the fast or not?

Ramadan 2016. The wisdom of fasting

Before fasting, as well as before performing other worships, a Muslim must (with his heart) intend to achieve the satisfaction of Allah Almighty by fulfilling the duties assigned to him. A slave should not do anything that is not fulfilling the commands of the Almighty.

One day of Pakistani Ramadan

Like all Muslims in the world, Pakistan also looks forward to the month of Ramadan. This article reflects a small episode from the life of Pakistani Muslims during fasting.

The last ten days of Ramadan - the time of I'tikaf

When the last ten days of the month of Ramadan approached, he (Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him) rolled up the bed, tightened his belt and worshiped diligently, and his loved ones with him.

Night Laylat-ul Frame

Almighty Allah exalted the month of Ramadan on the night of Lailat ul Qadr, “The Night of Power and Destiny.”

How is Ramadan going?

The holy month of Ramadan is coming to an end. It passes almost everyday: we get used to hunger, thirst, and try to improve our morals to the best of our ability. We have gotten used to it, just as we get used to all good things, and like all good things, this month will also end quickly. If we understood the full value of Ramadan, we would wish that this month would never end. This is what the hadith says, and nothing can be added to it.

Perhaps this is the last month of Ramadan in your life?!

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever fasts during the month of Ramadan with faith and hope of Allah’s reward will have his previous sins forgiven.”

We are not able to endure the summer heat, how are we going to endure the fire of Hell, which is thousands of times hotter than earthly fire?! But this person is brought into the fire by his sins.

Ramadan all year round

We know that there is a hadith of our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him): “If my community knew how much good Ramadan contains, it would wish it to last a whole year.” And I catch myself thinking that indeed, after the end of the month of Ramadan, that atmosphere of faith, making prayers, asking for forgiveness and repentance and doing good deeds ends.

CARDS FOR RAMADAN

Month of fasting. A month of good deeds. A month of curbing your passions

A month of treats and brotherly support. A month of worship of the Almighty in observance of another pillar of Islam.
The human body has its own needs. But man is created in such a way that he is able to control them and not be a slave to his own addictions. It is very close, the water is cold, fresh, welcome. And food is also nearby, just walk to the refrigerator. But a Muslim does not eat or drink, for this is the command of our Creator.

This is a very visible example: deliberately not doing something that is quite accessible and “technically” close. Don’t do it, even if “others don’t see.” Not because “people won’t understand.” And not because the executioner on the side stood menacingly with a sword in his hand.
Do not do it solely out of obedience to the Almighty.
This is the meaning of a Muslim’s life – for the sake of Allah Almighty.

All other motives are pushed aside - passion for hoarding, vanity, lust, “a certificate of honor from the State Council,” angry temper, likes on one’s Internet page, compliments from others, “stormy applause in the hall,” etc.

In a similar way, you can resist other temptations. From crime and greed. From the desire to gossip. From illicit entertainment. Our intentions, our views, our income and expenses, our deeds and actions - everything can be kept from sinful and forbidden things.

And we do not die from this - just as we do not die by abstaining from food and drink until sunset. “Allah does not impose anything on the soul except what is possible for it. Each soul has what it has acquired: a reward for good and punishment for evil.” (Quran, 2:286, meaning of part of the verse)

And this is not a way of self-affirmation of a person and not the realization of one’s own ambitions. Yes, it is very important that one’s own religiosity does not become a subject of pride and arrogance: “What a fine fellow I am compared to these freaks around, mired in base instincts.”
The goal is not narcissism or arrogant arrogance.
Everything is done out of fear, hope and love for Allah.

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) once asked people: “Do you know who the poor are?”
They replied: “A poor person among us is one who has neither money nor property.”
Then the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“Truly, the poorest among the members of my community will be the one who brings prayers, fasts and zakat with him on the Day of Resurrection, but it turns out that he insulted one, slandered another, appropriated the property of a third, shed the blood of a fourth and hit a fifth.
And then he will have to give from his good deeds to one, then to another, and if the supply of his good deeds runs out before he is able to settle accounts with everyone, then they will take from the sins of the offended and place them on him. And then he will be thrown into the Fire!
(Muslim. Sahih. - No. 6744; Tirmidhi. Sunan. - No. 2603; Ahmad. Musnad. - No. 8250, 8638, 9077)

The blessed month of Ramadan is coming to an end, leaving a good impression in the hearts of each of us. Each Muslim has his own attitude towards this holy month... His own special feelings during worship, performing the Tarawih prayer 1, hosting loved ones, special pleasure even when suffering from hunger, as well as a special feeling of pleasure and “joy” during breaking the fast. This is the joy that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) spoke about: “Two joys await the fasting person: one when he breaks his fast, and the second when he meets his Lord.”

Always different

Whenever Ramadan comes, it leaves each of us with its own memories and associations. And, surprisingly, these feelings differ in each locality. Every country, every city, even every village has its own Ramadan and leaves its own pleasant memories. Due to my studies, I had to live in many regions and, of course, celebrate Ramadan in these places: in my native village, district, city, Arab countries, St. Petersburg, Turkey, Europe. Wherever I encountered the blessed month, it left me with impressions that I will carry throughout my life. Ramadan has always been different from the rest of everyday life in the same places. It’s as if it has its own parallel space relative to the rest of the time in a person’s life.

The most amazing...

...I found Ramadan here in Europe in its color and diversity. Europe is rich in its cultural composition, also due to the large number of migrants from different Muslim countries. Some of them have settled here since the end of World War II as labor migrants. Others moved from countries of former colonies. Recently, due to military conflicts, there have been many refugees from Arab countries. In general, many Arabs dream of living in Europe. And, of course, almost all Muslims who come to Europe form their own communities, open mosques, various types of activities, cultural and educational centers, communities, etc. In a society where almost all government programs are aimed at the complete assimilation of alien peoples into the European liberal culture, such public projects help Muslims preserve their cultural identity and preserve their Muslim identity.

Ramadan among the Arabs

In the process of preserving culture, one might say, the most special place is occupied by the holy month of Ramadan. For the Arab peoples, Ramadan is not about hunger until the evening and gathering in mosques for Tarawih prayer at night... In Ramadan in Arab countries, life changes almost completely. For every Arab, there is life in Ramadan and life outside Ramadan. It's like two parallel worlds. They change the routine of day and night, and in the evening, for Iftar 2, they treat everyday guests with a variety of all kinds of dishes. Everything looks different in Ramadan. The Arabs say that even trade in the markets takes on a different character.

In Ramadan, the cultural characteristics of Muslim communities in Europe are especially fully manifested. If the rest of the time the Islamic life of European Muslims is distinguished only by Friday prayers, then the month of Ramadan for them is like an associative transfer to their homeland. Everything is identical to the “original”, from worship in mosques to visits to relatives and friends, where you can taste food and sweets just like in your homeland.

France

In 2016, I was in France and spent part of Ramadan there. An hour after iftar, which was already late at night, crowds could be seen heading to the mosques, which were filled to capacity. Some people stayed in mosques for i'tikaf 3, while others went home to continue their night life. It felt like I went to Tunisia or Morocco.

In Germany…

…more flavor in terms of diversity of communities. Although the majority of Muslim groups here are Turks. At the same time, there are quite large communities of Syrian Arabs, Bosnian Muslims, and Albanians. Each community has its own mosques, its own program, corresponding to a certain culture of the month of Ramadan. It feels like when you enter this or that house of Allah, you find yourself not in a mosque, but in an entire country of this or that community. One day you end up with the Arabs, the next - with the Turks, the third - with the Albanians, Bosnians, Pakistanis... And the iftar food in each of them is different, national.

Another feature of European (German) Ramadan is that almost all oriental cafes and restaurants are completely overcrowded in the evening. If you don't book a table in advance, you risk being late for iftar. People go with families and friends.

Everyone is welcome in European mosques

Almost every mosque has “Ramadan tents” or organized iftars inside the building. Of course, all parishioners are welcome, and in some mosques they even hand out business cards. Particular joy can be seen if a person of a different nationality comes: they begin to urgently ask that they bring their fellow countrymen.

Sometimes iftars are organized in the courtyards of mosques - that is, almost on the street - this arouses great interest among non-Muslims. Europeans are a very curious people. They want to try everything for themselves, to see. Therefore, they often come simply out of curiosity, and when they are greeted with national food and sweets, they are very pleased and leave delighted. Some mosques deliberately invite non-Muslims into their “Ramadan tents.” Naturally, seeing this hospitable environment and smiling faces, ordinary people are imbued with warm feelings towards Islam and Muslims. There were cases when we met non-Muslim Germans who observed Muslim fasting. Some just to test themselves, some for health reasons, some out of a sense of solidarity.

Some Europeans, unfamiliar with Islamic rituals, ask about Muslim fasting, and when they learn that it is necessary to abstain from food and drink for the whole day, they are surprised and filled with respect, considering Muslims to be real heroes. Others, laughing, wave it off and say: "Ooo! This is not for me". Those who are braver try to test themselves and fast for one day.

Namaz-tarawih...

...representatives of each country also do it in their own way. The Turks, as usual, like in Turkey itself, like to perform it in a hurry. Probably because they are more integrated into European society and the working day is of greater importance for them. The Arabs are different in this regard. They try to take holidays and free themselves from work so that they can fully enjoy the holy month.

Tarawih Arabs usually perform twenty rakats 4 and try to completely complete the reading of the Koran in it in a month. The rest periods after every fourth rak'ah are used mainly for educational work - for short lectures. For this purpose, mosques or cultural centers attract various scholars and preachers from the Arab world.

In some mosques, tarawih is performed in eight rak'ahs. It depends on the capabilities and abilities of the parishioners. In Europe, mainly among the Arabs, there is also a custom of inviting various readers from Arab countries who beautifully recite the Koran. This allows you to fully embrace the spirituality of this holy month. Of course, the last ten nights are distinguished by special worship. People who are free from work try to stay in mosques on these nights, performing I'tikaf. Some stay in the mosque for all ten nights without leaving it, others go home after morning prayer. In such an intense, rich atmosphere, the holiday of breaking the fast “Eid al-Fitr” is approaching. After which life returns to its normal course.

May Allah Almighty accept good deeds from everyone in this holy month. Happy holiday to all of you, dear readers! ]§[

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1 Tarawih - additional night prayers performed collectively in mosques during the month of Ramadan.

2 Iftar - breaking the fast after fasting.

3 I'tikaf is a continuous stay in the mosque for the purpose of worshiping Allah, which is desirable in the last ten days of Ramadan.

4 Rakat - cycle of prayer.