Namaz Kit free essay sample

Namaz has been made compulsory for Muslims 5 times daily the five times  . Some things which are considered necessary before performing Namaz and also become the cultural norm of Pakistan are jaye namaz (prayer mat), tashbeeh, hijab, topi (prayer cap). Hijab and prayer cap are essential or religious obligation for namaz but prayer mat and tashbeeh are cultural norms of Pakistan. Here we will be discussing all of them in aspect of Pakistan: Jaye namaz The place of prayer is required to be free from dirt, as Muslims prostrate themselves during prayer with their hands, Knees, toes, forehead and nose coming into contact with the ground. To ensure this cleanliness Muslims use a small prayer mat for prayer. Structure/style: A prayer rug is characterized by a niche at one end, representing the place in every mosque, which directs or points the worshipper towards Mecca. The prayer mat is traditionally woven with a rectangular design, made asymmetrical by the niche at the head end. We will write a custom essay sample on Namaz Kit or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Within the rectangle one usually finds images of Islamic symbols and architecture. Decorations not only are important but also have a deep sense of value in the design of the prayer rug. When praying, the niche at the top of the mat must be pointed to the Islamic center for prayer, Mecca. In most tribal and village weavings the Jaye namaz is more angular in nature while the formal or city Jaye namaz can be very ornate and flowing in design. In the last 100 years is has become more common to see larger size Jaye namaz woven using the directional prayer rug motifs. Many jaye namaz also show one or more  mosque lamps, a reference to the Verse  in the  Qur’an. Specific  mosques  are sometimes shown; some of the most popular examples include the mosques in Mecca,  Medina, and especially  Jerusalem. Decorations not only play a role in imagery but serve the worshipper as aids to memory. Some of the examples include a comb and pitcher, which is a reminder for Muslims to wash their hands and for men to comb their hair before performing prayer. Another important use for decorations is to aid newly-converted Muslims by stitching decorative hands on the prayer mat where the hands should be placed when performing prayer. The size of jaye namaz are varying but the one mentioned a lot is: â€Å"  Typical prayer rug sizes are approximately 2. 5  ft ? 4  ft (0. 76  m ? 1. 2  m) 4  ft ? 6  ft (1. 2  m ? 1. 8  m). Purpose:-Although prayer mats to kneel on are not compulsory they are way of making sure you are kneeling on a clean space. Any mat will do but mats in Pakistan have geometrical design or pictures of famous mosques. They never have design including living things or representation of God, angels or the prophets. When not in use they are folded up and put away. Th ey not used for walking on as fireside rugs or general room decoration. Types of prayer mats by texture: Leather and wood: Despite from stone leather and wooden pieces are also used for prayer purpose in pakistan minorly. They are also shaped like stone. Leather is sometimes colored or preserved with vegetable oil. Wooden blocks are used for prayer and kept upright to wall after offering prayer. Wooden blocks are also colored. Stone: At the beginning when people didn’t find cloth or any other stuff to ensure cleanliness of their place they fixed a solid stone in the corner of the home. The stone is often 1. 5 meter long and rectangular in shape. Sometimes the front end of the stone crushed to make a pointed end. The stone may be plain or have devotional phrases impressed in its surface or the plain surface stone is discovered or made from big rocks. People cover them either with leaves or anything available to make sure cleanliness. â€Å"These plaques are periodically washed by their owners and, due to their propensity to dissolve, may be reconstituted by them. † If the stone is not solid it can be destructed with time so people usually discover solid stone or rebuild it after some time. Chitai: In pakistan there is trend of offering prayer with in group called jammat behind the imam. chitai or mat rolls are laid on the ground and Muslim stand side by side to offer prayer. These mat rolls are made from grass, date leaves or now a days plastic. Mat rolls are long carpets of rectangular shape with mihrab printed on them. These mihrabs are individually like prayer mat or the jaye namaz but collectively they form a chitai. Some chitai are also made for individual purpose. Wooden beds: Small wooden beds are made for namaz offering purpose. These are same like normal beds. The Prayer stand on the backend of the bed facing back of bed. In Islam when Muslim is offering prayer if somebody passes in front of him his namaz will be considered makruh so small hurdles are placed in front of namazi. To compete this problem these wooden beds were introduced because namazi will be facing the back of the bed and any one can pass easily in front of namazi and no extra hurdle need to be placed. Carpet stuff: Now a day’s most common used for jaye namaz purpose is carpet stuff. Weavers make prayer mats from wool, camel fur, goat hair and silk. They wash and dye the materials, then them for six weeks before weaving. They choose materials for their strength and durability; many prayer mats last several generations. Weavers dye the wool with vegetable pigments from recipes handed down from generation to generation. Weavers decorate prayer mats with geometric designs and small stylized flowers and plants because Islam forbids any idolization. Detailed geometric borders with plain centers are featured in plain prayer mat designs, but many are far more lavish. They feature stylized flower motifs and geometric patterns in borders and forming the mihrab. The mihrab is the place where the Muslim places his head when he is kneeling in prayer. It represents the doorway of the revered sacred mosque in Mecca. Tribes and villagers often make mats famous for their floral designs, and many old prayer mats are valuable collectors items. Hijab If we look at the meaning of the word Hijab in the dictionary we learn that the word means veil, screen, covering or curtain. Hijab literally means â€Å"screen†, â€Å"curtain†, â€Å"partition† and â€Å"concealment. † In the verb form, it means â€Å"to conceal oneself† or â€Å"hide from the view. † In the Shari‘a, it means to cover, conceal or hide oneself from view of those men with whom marriage is or may become permissible. Hijab for both men and women: The Hadith also includes rules for dressing. Both men and women are directed to cover themselves when they are in public areas. For men, following hijab means that the body should be covered at a minimum from the navel to the knees in loose, opaque clothing. Some interpretations of the Hadith suggest that the covering should be longer, from the navel to the ankles. All agree that the modest covering should be worn at all times, including prayer. Types of Hijab: Some Muslims interpret hijab as a minimal covering of the face and body, while others believe that hijab requires a complete securement of the entire body in opaque garments. More strict interpretations of hijab include an understanding that the face should be covered as well. Square scarf: The most commonly worn is a square scarf that covers the head and neck but leaves the face clear. Al-Amira: The al-amira is a two piece veil. It consists of a close fitting cap and an accompanying scarf. Shayla: The shayla is a long, rectangular scarf. It is wrapped around the head and tucked or pinned in place. Khimar: The Khimar is a cap-like veil that hangs down to just down the waist. It covers the hairs, neck and shoulders completely, but leaves the face clear. Chador: The chador is a full body cloak. It is often accompanied by a smaller headscarf underneath. Chador is mostly viewed in rural areas of balochistan and Punjab. Nikab: The Nikab is a veil for the face that leaves the area around the eyes clear. It is the most common type of hijab practiced in Pakistan. Burqa: The Burqa is the most concealing of all Islamic veils. It covers entire face and the body. Burqa is practiced mostly in kpk. Tasbeeh Tasbeeh? in its literary meaning is Glorification?. The Holy Qur? aan says, â€Å"Whatever is in the heavens and the earth glorifies Allah S. W. T. † I would like to share some knowledge in regard to realities of Tasbeeh. In order to understand the origins, significance, and importance of Tasbeeh e Fatima (S. A). Tasbeeh  ( ) is a form of  dhikr  that involves the repetitive utterances of short sentences glorifying  God, in  Islam. To keep track of counting either the  phalanges  of the right hand or a  misbaha  is used. The tasbih is similar to the  prayer rope  of the  Eastern Church  and the  rosary  in the  Roman Catholic Church. It is stated that one who recites this Tasbeeh after Namaaz gets the Sawaab of one thousand Rak? at. Imaam Ja? afer Saadiq A. S. aid that whoever is punctual in reciting this Tasbeeh shall never become one amongst the unfortunates. Tasbeeh is taken as reciting God’s name on beads. It’s also called Tasbeeh Fatima(Ra), since there is a hadees that he advised her so. People normally use a 100 bead Tasbeeh, but some use a 1000 one. Some do on millions of seeds or grain. They keep uttering some Arabic words without knowing the mean ing, lips moving and fingers on beads and think it is a great obedience. It’s not only Muslims, other religions also have adopted this practice, or vice versa. . But Tasbeeh means to perform as ordered or to obey God. Everything, living or material is doing tasbeeh, means doing their assigned jobs. â€Å"Tasbeeh  of Allah ( ? )  is to declare His perfection and to glorify Him  by removing any fault, deficiency, weakness or similarity to creation  from Him. † â€Å"Whatever is in the heavens and earth exalts Allah , and He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise. † [Al-Quran-Surat Al-Hadid  (The Iron):01]  Ã¢â‚¬ . Structure and Style: Tasbih are most commonly made of various stones or wooden  bead, but also of olive seeds, ivory, amber, pearls or plastic. Stone beads (mineral and animal based) are made of; carnelian, amber, tortoiseshell, glass, meerschaum, ivory, pearl, coral, coconut, pebble, mother of-pearl, jade, rhino horn, etc. whereas wooden beads are made of; ebony, agalloch, rosewood, olive wood, etc. Besides 99 beads, tasbih also consists of: the nisane, a disc which separates each 33 beads, the pul, a small bead that marks the seventh position, the tassel, which is a long piece marking the beginning of the string, and the tepelik at the top of the tassel. In 33 bead tasbih, nisane separates 11 beads and there is no pul. . Method of Tasbeeh: Two methods of keeping count of Tasbeeh are generally employed. They are: 1) Tasbeeh or Rosary 2) Joints of the fingers Canonical form Tasbih of Fatima: 1. SubhanAllah  ( ) (Glory be to  Allah) – repeated 33 times. 2. Alhamdulillah  ( ) (Praise be to  Allah) – repeated 33 times. 3. Allahuakbar  ( ) (Allah  is the Greatest) – repeated 34 times. 4. †Å"Laa Ilaaha Illallaah† once. †. Benefits of Tasbih: There are many benefits of a taseeh, if one seriously recites it, it will give incredible outcomes both in this world and the hereafter. Some of the advantages of tasbeeh e Fatima includes increase in sustenance, deliverance from misfortunes, forgiveness of one’s sins, one becomes worthy of paradise, protection from tragedies and one receives gift from the angels. One should recite this tasbeeh after every prayer and before going to sleep. One can also recite a tasbeeh of astaghfirullah to seek forgiveness from the Lord. It is highly recommended to recite the tasbeeh of seeking forgiveness from Allah. Some common ways of remembering Allah after prayers is also highly recommended. Authentic Hades states that one who is regular reciter of this tasbeeh shall be considered the one who has remembered Allah S. W. T. the most. Imam Muhammad Baqir A. S. said that Whoever recites this Tasbeeh and at the end beseeches Allah S. W. T. for forgiveness he shall be surely forgiven. Numerically there are only one hundred holy words but in the scale of Deeds it will be considered to be one thousand. This Tasbeeh-e-Fatima Zahra S. A. keeps Shaytaan away from us and makes our Creator to be pleased with us. Imaam Ja? afer Saadiq A. S. aid that whoever recites this Tasbeeh after Wajib Namaaz his/her sins shall be forgiven even Before he/she steps out of the place of prayers and shall be rewarded Jannat. He also said it to be better than a thousand Rak at prayers. Namaz is like a beautiful flower while Tasbeeh-e-Fatima S. A. is a fragrance to that flower†. Critical Analysis Is namaz kit necessary for Namaz? Not necessarily jaye namaz and tashbeeh â€Å"The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said in hadith that all place of prayer for him and his people may pray anywhere they find themselves at times of prayer†. Prayer rugs are not universally used by Muslims, nor specifically required in Islam. But they have become a traditional way for many Pakistanis to ensure the cleanliness of their place of prayer, and to create an isolated space to concentrate in prayer. Same for tashbeeh which is also not necessary for performing namaz but become a traditional part of Pakistani culture to perform tashbeeh. Apart from jaye namaz and tashbeeh hijab is necessary obligation to perform because namaz and here we are taking hijab for covering face and all body except hand, feet and face. It is also necessary to fold jaye namaz in proper manner that the head side of jaye namaz never come on foot side if it do it is considered a disrespectful thing, Many muftis are saying don’t read namaz on the jaye namaz with khana kabha or masjid print on it, better hang that on wall as decoration and read namaz on plain jay e namaz, because years gone people read namaz on the jay e namaz got khana kabha on it so it’s difficult to tell all the only way is if they don’t print them, they can make and sell wall hanging more wide and the jaye namaz simple. The reason the Ulema have said you shouldnt pray on a jay namaz with a masjid on it is on the basis of respect. You can read on it however you must make sure that your feet don’t be placed on top of the masjid otherwise you will get gunnah. same case is with tashbeeh and hijab don’t make tashbeeh and hijab with printed scared palces because can often break and beads of it may roll in our feet and we will earn gunnah. Hijab also have restriction because the girl wearing hijab may torn,lose or wear that printed hijab in uncleanliness time. There has been much debate over hijab in the Muslim and non-Muslim world. Some critics feel that hijab is very restrictive for women, while some Muslim women say they actually feel more comfortable in hijab. Does Islamic dress imply that women are submissive or inferior to men? Modest clothing is worn in obedience to our Creator and has nothing to do with submission to men. Hijab is actually the purity of human being and the soul as well. In Quran, Allah says: â€Å" And when you ask them( the Prophet’s wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen, that is purer for your hearts and their hearts. † Quran (33:53) Hijab is reffered as a shield according to one hadith. The Prophet (S. A. W. W. ) says: â€Å" Allah , most high, He loves Haya and sittr†(Abu Dawod, An-Nissaee) At another time, The Prophet (S. A. W. W. ) says: Each religion has morality and the morality of islam is Haya† (Imam Maalik) Some women argue that modesty is a state of mind and has nothing to do with clothing. When talking about modesty we should talk about the purpose of clothing. Modesty is also humility. A modest woman is a humble woman and in a way our clothes should reflect that. When I want respect I act like I deserve that respect and I dress like it too. Dressing for pleasure of Almighty Allah. What is written in the Qur’an and in hadiths cannot be deniedthat Muslim women must cover up. Woman, as taught by Islam since the light of Prophethood, is a precious and most valuable treasure of this world. She is to be protected, honoured and valued. Like a precious stone, her beauty should be respected, hidden in security and safety so as not to be abused by unworthy eyes. Hijab is empowerment for the Muslim woman. It is her right to preserve her modesty, to guard herself from the corruption of society. The veil or Hijab is that distinctive symbol which identifies her as a woman of God; humble, modest.. When discussing Hijab, the question often arises; why is emphasis for covering up placed upon the women instead of the men? Firstly, it should be noted that men definitely have a degree of Hijab to observe. In addition to modest clothing and following the ways of the noble Sunnah, men must also lower their gaze and protect themselves from their desires in regards to women. This is commanded upon them in the Qur’anic verse: â€Å"Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them. And Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. [Qur’an 24:30] The first glance is allowed however the second glance is not. This means that a man may look once but he should then turn away: The Beloved Messenger of Allah said to his cousin Sayyidina Ali,â€Å"O Ali, do not follow a glance with another, for you will be forgiven for the first, but not for the second. †[Tirmidhi, Hadith no. 2701] Men must lowe r their gaze and avoid looking at women at all times, except for sound and legitimate purposes, namely testimony, medical treatment, proposing marriage, buying a slave girl, buying and selling, etc. In these cases it is permitted to look only as much as is necessary and no more. And Allah knows best. Y tashbeeh is important to held person can recite tashbeeh without tashbeeh? The most obvious reason is remembrance. When person are sitting alone or in gathering they kept on randomly thinking or gossiping respectively but if they are holding a tashbeeh they might use it in a productive way. Conclusion People of Pakistan respect namaz kit as sacred thing an place them on clean or high place. They are not just considered to perform their primary obligation instead they are considered itself as a part of the obligation which is not necessary. They also wash them carefully and separately. It is disrespectful for one to place a namaz kit in a dirty location or throw them around in a disrespectful manner. Manufacturing namaz kit is important industry in pakistan and pakistan also export namaz kit to other muslim countries including Saudi Arabia. Pakistani also buy jaye namaz, tashbeeh and hijab from Saudi Arabia when they go there to perform Hajj or Umra. They use these by their own and also gift to their relatives. The Hijab is a protection and for of purity for both genders and is ruled according to the nature of each. Since woman is made naturally soft-hearted, modest and humble, she is asked to cover up and protect herself; and since man is created weak, he is taught to exercise self-restraint. If both genders fulfil their individual duties, their faith is protected and their purity is preserved. Women should not be the moon which everyone sees uncovered, but women should be the sun which makes everyone eyes bow down before seeing it. Let not the opinions of man interfere with the directions given to you by Allah. Precious things are always kept covered for their protection muslimahs are the pearls of this ummah and that’s why we’ve been gifted hijab Bibliography 1. Voice of System  By Ahmed Hulusi page no 18 publishing year 1999 published by Kitsan, Istanbul,Turkey 2. Pakistan Kit by Cornell University South Asia Program page no 40 3. http://www. prayerrugs. com/ accessed on 7th May, 2013 4. Islam by Ruqaiyyah Waris Maqsood page no 56 publishing year 1995 publishing house Maetu cromo Spain 5. http://www. tradekey. com. pk/prayer-mats. htm acessed on 4th May ,2013 6. 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