HOW KERALA MUSLIMS CELEBRATE THE MONTH OF RAMADAN

Kerala, the southernmost state of India, covered by lush greenery, have a long tradition of Islamic cultures and relations with Arabia, which is regarded as the birthplace of Islam and its canvassing activities lead by Prophet Muhammed PBUH and his beloved companions. The companions of Prophet travelled to different parts of the world carrying the peaceful ideologies of Islam and started propagation. Even though there are contradictions prevailing about the way how Islam reached in this small state. But historians have a unique opinion regarding the time. They says that Islam reached in this state right at the prophetic period.

Mostly accepted is that the Malik Deenar and his companions are those who took Islam to this land of Kerala. Its also said that this was after the journey of Cheraman Perumal, a native king to Arabia to embrace Islam after witnessing the fragmentation of moon, which was a mujizath of prophet Muhammed. Historians said that fragmentation of moon was witnessed in the different regions of Kerala. Some of the travellers who visited Kerala afterwards said that they have saw a building written on it” the work of this building was complete on the day when moon fragmented into two.”

As Kerala has a long Islamic tradition, too Ramzan also have. Ramzan, the month of fasting is a period of joy and pleasure among the Kerala Muslims. From very beginning they will prepare to welcome this holy month. As ‘shabdatharavali’ is regarded as most authentic malayalam dictionary in Kerala, authored by Sreekanteshwaram Padmanabha Pillai, published in 1918 includes the malayalm word ‘nanachukuli” which means an action prevailing among Muslims of Kerala, by cleaning and preparing for month of Ramzan. So its clear that this action is also a olden tradition, not something created by modern Muslims of Kerala.

When the Ramzan hilal appears, the Muslims will gather in mosques to perform Tharaweeh prayers which are to be performed specially in the month of Ramzan. Quranic recitations and supplications also will be conducted during the special days and nights of Ramzan. The style and ways of conducting will ve varies according to geographical differences. From the dawn till the dusk people will be engaged in different kind of worships in the mosques or outside it, either by prayers or making themselves as a helping hand to others.

Mass ifthar gatherings are widely seen among Kerala Muslims. In houses, these gatherings will be conducted by adjoining the neighbours and relatives. But in mosques the mass gathering will be hue saturated by different passengers, nomads, pilgrims and shopkeepers if they are in towns. There is a masjid named Markaz Masjid in Calicut, one of the developed city in Kerala, which holds more than 2000 persons every day for iftar. Most of whole Muslims donate well to those initiatives, taking part in the celebration of this holy month by giving charity.

Another important traditional practices are sermons and Islamic preachings conducted indoor and outdoor. Mostly these preaching, also known as ‘urdi’. Peoples actively participate and listen to sermons carried by venerable scholars and daawa activists. Islamic belief, theology, jurisprudence and incidents of sufi saints and pious personalities n Islamic history will be most discussed topics in such sermons and gatherings. Mostly its carried during the day time, but in coastal areas of Calicut and neighbouring places, its seen now a day’s gathering during night hours, after special prayers in mosques.

When half of Ramzan is finished, people will be interested in pilgrimage to different parts of the state, to visit the shrines and tombs of sufi saints and saadaths(prophetic progenies) who came from different parts for the propagation of Islam. Besides, people visit the muslim graveyards offering special prayers and hymns to those who deceased from their family and settlement. These prayers in shrines and tombs mostly happen during night hours, which will present them a evangelical feelings and piety. There are people among high class Muslim, who will leave for Mecca to perform Umra pilgrimage. There are places in the state were mass prayer congregations are conducted during the nights of Ramzan, which the Lailathul Qadr( Shabbe Qadr) is expected to happen.

When Ramzan drives to end, Muslims will be actively participating to make their Eid celebrations colourful. They goes to markets and streets to buy garments and ornaments for the celebration of Eid. During the last Friday in Ramzan, the mosques will be overwhelmed by devotees. They will be early to mosques to perform different worships.

The Ramzan ends among Keralites, by leaving a spiritual happiness and joy in the hearts of believers.