We are often questioned about fiestas in Islam.The problem is that a lot of utilities necessitated by geographical conditions have been Islamized to an extent that any one speaking against them is declared Kafar. Take the example of Lota. For scarcity of water in Arbia, they invented a utensil (lota) with a small outlet to restrict flow of water. We in India had plenty of water. We preferred Gadvi (a utensil with wide outlet ) and found it more convenient. These two utensils had nothing to do with the religion but you probably know it very well that Gadvi became the symbol of Hinduism and Lota was co-opted by Muslims. Maulvi Sahib of my Masjid is still adamant that Taharat without lota is not valid.
Miswak to me is a fine combination of brush and cleansing fluid. The purpose is to clean teeth but it certainly is not hygienic to use one miswak by dozens of persons and then using it for plugging in the leaking water taps on the wadu pad. This we see in almost every mosque. Is it a sin to improve upon these practices? As for beard (Personally I have beard) Quran has not said a word about it. Hadith does not enjoin upon Muslims to grow beard. On the contrary it speaks of trimming and proper maintenance of beard for those who happen to grow beard. Dress code is precisely defined in Quran leaving no room for anyone ridiculing others. I know a great scholar of Islam decreed that wearing Kurta of lawn is haram. I wish he spent a hot season in Multan, Pakistan. Hindus had too many Festivals. Muslim parents didn't want to let their children have an impression that Hindu Religion is more floricultural than Islam. That was the reason they created as many rituals as other religions had. Many of such rituals, though not vouched by Islam are not against Islam either. To my understanding Islam did not interfere with the cultural heritage of Arabs except changing their direction from Multi-gods to One God and is not, therefore, expected to take away from me the attraction of my culture as an Indo/Pak Muslim. In India, Hindu celebrated birthday to gauge physical development of a Child. For this purpose a thread named Taraghi was loosely tied across belly of the child. With this thread chest of the child was measured on each birthday in presence of the family and measurement was marked with a knot on the thread. The celebration was thus named Saal-Girah ( Annual Knot ). Muslim in Pakistan do celebrate Saal-Girah by marking number of years lived with candles in a joyful gathering of the family. I have not heard of any superstitious notion attached to. Death rites like Kull, So-aim, Chehlum are considered riligious rites. I am not aware of religious preachings relating to these rituals but I do know that in agrarian lands where cattle and crops are equally important and farmer can not skip looking after their herds and corps for many days, our ancestors decided to burry immediately the dead one by close neighbours, and fixed a day ( usually the third day) for mourning by other relatives. Fortieth day after the death was fixed for elders of the family to get together to decide the issues pursuant to death of a person. This included meal for the elders and a concluding Du'a on settlement of issues confronting the bereaved family.The purpose of these rites is now completely lost. Only the feast and du'a for the dead one is left.. Allah knows better. Muhammad Latif Chaudhery
