AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): The holy month of Ramadan is celebrated all over the world with various customs and traditions. In Afghanistan, like other Islamic countries, the Holy Month is warmly welcomed. During this month, the fasting people recite the Quran, worship in the mosque, and hold vigil, especially on Qadr Nights.
In an interview with ABNA News Agency, the representative of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly in Afghanistan and the head of the Assembly of AhlulBayt (a.s.) Lovers of the country talked about the customs of the Muslim people of Afghanistan during the month of Ramadan.
The full interview with Hojat al-Islam Sayed Hossein Alemi Balkhi is as follows:
ABNA – What are the traditions of Afghan people during the holy month of Ramadan?
Alemi Balkhi – At the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, Afghan people are very bound to personally see the crescent of the new moon of the lunar month.
Estehlal [to find and observe the crescent of the new moon, which indicates the arrival of the new lunar month. The month of Ramadan starts when the crescent moon is sighted.] is one of the old traditions in Afghanistan, according to which, in cities, villages, etc., one or two nights before Ramadan, the night when the moon is likely to be seen, Shiites and Sunnis go to the top of the mountains to see the crescent of the new moon.
The government recognizes the Sunni denomination, and they have an independent Estehlal committee to register the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan. Estehlal in Afghanistan is a very serious matter and people work diligently for this.
One of the traditions of Afghan people during Ramadan is the invitation to Iftar. They also hold Quran reciting ceremonies during this month, and one can barely find a house in the country where the Quran is not recited in.
Iftar ceremonies for the poor, orphans, neighbors, etc., are among the traditions that Afghan people follow seriously, and there is no difference between Shia and Sunni in this regard.
Another custom of Afghan people in Ramadan is playing Dohol during Sohur. To wake people up for Sohur, some play Dohol.
Shiites hold vigil for the Qadr Nights of the 19th, 21st, and 23rd of Ramadan, perform Nazr, and prepare food for Sohur. Most of the Shiite mosques prepare Sohur on Qadr Nights, recite Joshan Kabir Supplication, perform hundred rakahs prayers, etc. All these are among the rituals that Shiites perform on the Qadr Nights. On these nights, a clergy goes to the pulpit and preaches and advises people. People place the Quran on their heads [a Shiite ritual for Qadr Nights], and perform the rituals mentioned in the Mafatih al-Jinan of the late Sheikh Abbas Qomi, (may God have mercy on him), for the Qadr Nights.
Shiites believe that the Quran was revealed to the Prophet on one of these three nights (Qadr Nights). Therefore, they commemorate all three nights. Also, the nights when Imam Ali (a.s.) was struck by a sword (by Ibn Muljam), and was martyred, are the 19th and 21st nights of Ramadan, respectively. These nights are very cherished, and people mourn during them.
However, the opinion of the Sunnis about the Qadr Nights is different from that of the Shiites. Based on their famous and authentic traditions, they believe that Qadr Night is the 27th night of Ramadan. Therefore, they hold special programs on this night. Some hold a vigil, but they are not so bound to do a vigil on their Qadr night. But they hold other programs.
On the nights of Ramadan, Sunnis go to mosques after Maghrib and Isha prayers and perform Tarawih prayers. As far as I know, there are two or three types of Tarawih prayers, according to one of which, the whole Quran should be recited in the (Tarawih) prayer during the entire holy month of Ramadan from the beginning to the end. That is, the congregation Imam must memorize the whole Quran and every night recite a Juz (chapter) of the Quran in the Tarawih prayer. Sometimes they recite more so that the entire Quran can be recited sooner.
ABNA - Do the Muslim people of Afghanistan have special foods for the holy month of Ramadan?
Alemi Balkhi – Dates are one of the main foods for breaking the fast. First, when the Azan (call to prayer) is called, they eat dates, Zoolbia and Bamiyeh (Tulumba).
ABNA – Are ulama and clerics engaged in preaching during the holy month?
Alemi Balkhi – Yes, like in Iran, ulama and clerics are engaged in preaching in different cities and villages.
ABNA – What are the traditions of Afghan people in Eid al-Fitr?
Alemi Balkhi – Just as Estahlal is important at the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, there is also Estahlal at the end of the holy month and people try to see the crescent of the month of Shawwal. Based on jurisprudential principles related to the sighting of the crescent, the day of Eid al-Fitr of Shiites and Sunnis in Afghanistan is often different. The same is true for announcing the beginning of Ramadan. Sunnis usually announce Ramadan earlier and their Eid al-Fitr is also announced earlier. But for Shiites, the announcement of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr is often delayed. But this year, by the grace of God, everyone announced the start of Ramadan as one day. That is, not only in Afghanistan, but in all Islamic countries, the first day of Ramadan was the same. We hope this is the case with the announcement of Eid al-Fitr.
On the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, Afghanistan has three days off as a holiday. On the first day, people pray the Eid prayer, which is different according to the religious and jurisprudential rulings of the Shia and Sunni Eid prayers. Of course, the Sunnis consider the Eid al-Fitr prayer obligatory, but we Shiites consider it recommended during the Occultation (of Imam Mahdi (a.s.)).
On the day of Eid, families visit each other to honor family relationships and to know each other’s well-being. First of all, they visit families who lost a member or been martyred. Individually or in groups, they visit the bereaved families, first, they offer their condolences, then they congratulate them on Eid al-Fitr. Also, young people visit their elders and old people. The visits continue during the three days of Eid. In other words, during the days of Eid, family ties in Afghanistan are valued in the true sense of the word.
ABNA – Do people also visit ulama on Eid al-Fitr?
Alemi Balkhi – Yes, young people go to meet the ulama. On the day of Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim people of Afghanistan wear nice clothes. They try to wear new clothes, and if they do not have, they wash and clean their clothes so that they are clean. They beautify themselves and wear perfume and prepare confectionery for meetings.
ABNA – Does Eid al-Fitr have a special sweet?
Alemi Balkhi – They prepare cakes, cookies, pistachios, and almonds and eat them in meetings together. People invite each other and hold ceremonies on the days of Eid al-Fitr. Of course, in Eid al-Adha, there is sacrifice, but it is not raised in Eid al-Fitr. One of the things that Muslims do on the day of Eid al-Fitr is to pay Zakat al-Fitr to the poor and needy. Everyone must pay Zakat al-Fitr on the day of Eid. However, some people give loans to poor people before Eid al-Fitr and on the day of Eid consider it as Zakat al-Fitr. There are also some institutions that receive Zakat al-Fitr and spend it for certain purposes.
ABNA – According to statistics, during the month of Ramadan, due to the spiritual atmosphere of the holy month, the number of crimes in Iran decreases. Is it the same with Afghanistan?
Alemi Balkhi – Yes, in all Muslim countries, including Afghanistan, it is the same as you said. When Muslims enter the spiritual atmosphere of Ramadan, they try not to commit sins and the holy month has its spiritual impact. In Afghanistan, the number of crimes and violations of law decreases during the month of Ramadan.
ABNA – Thank you for your precious time.
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