The National Level Celebrations.
Theme:: Wahdah Pemangkin Khaira Ummah
[Unity as the Catalyst for Creating the Best Nation]
"Adherence to Islam as demonstrated by the glorious history of Islam has proven that Muslim nations were at one time united on the axis of truth," he said.
However, Tuanku Mizan said some people had become contaminated by greed and self-centredness, and neglected noble values by chasing worldly possessions, which resulted in many forms of catastrophes and disasters that befell the people because of the wrath of God.
"Therefore, Islam forbids any form of misappropriation, abuse of power and discrimination. Instead, Islam preaches, equality and cooperation."
"Islam makes it obligatory to protect and ensure equal rights for all strata of the society, regardless whether they were Muslims or non-Muslims," said Tuanku Mizan.
Close to 8 years since I participated in the celebrations. As compared to where I am now, the community in my hometown are very close knit when it comes to Islamic celebrations. Without fail, we will have people coming over for marhabans, separated into 2 sessions, men and women of all ages. It was from them did I learn the marhabans, nasheeds and berzanji. Berzanji is now a dying art.
Something else that I am unable to find here is the makan berdulang. Normally, after the marhaban or berzanji sessions, the hosts will serve refreshments and one of the ways to serve was the makan berdulang. It's basically food placed in a circular tray where 4-5 people will share the food by eating from the tray.
There are 2 ways of doing it::
1st. - The dishes are placed into bowls, the bowls placed in the tray and people scoop it from there. If the bowls are placed directly on the table / sapra [cloth to cover the floor], then it is called makan berhidang.
2nd. - The dishes are ladled straight into the centre of the tray, no plates, no cutlery. Sometimes someone will divide it into portions, or else everybody just help themselves to it using their hands. Trust me, it can get excruciating at times particularly when you have friends fighting for the chicken. To solve matters, we do trade-offs, e.g. my chicken piece for your potato.
*First-timers may find the second approach as repulsive. Of course, one has to know the etiquette.
Note:: Makan berdulang I believe is actually a Malay culture. The response I gave was because I was being biased. :P
Hopefully, this answers to Ms. Unique's query. :)
Theme:: Wahdah Pemangkin Khaira Ummah[Unity as the Catalyst for Creating the Best Nation]
"Adherence to Islam as demonstrated by the glorious history of Islam has proven that Muslim nations were at one time united on the axis of truth," he said.However, Tuanku Mizan said some people had become contaminated by greed and self-centredness, and neglected noble values by chasing worldly possessions, which resulted in many forms of catastrophes and disasters that befell the people because of the wrath of God.
"Therefore, Islam forbids any form of misappropriation, abuse of power and discrimination. Instead, Islam preaches, equality and cooperation."
"Islam makes it obligatory to protect and ensure equal rights for all strata of the society, regardless whether they were Muslims or non-Muslims," said Tuanku Mizan.Info and pictures source from The Sun.
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Typically, the celebrations include parades, forums, conferences, marhabans [Islamic songs], nasheeds, berzanji [praises to the Prophet Muhammad S.A.W, historical accounts], performances, treating the needy etc.
Close to 8 years since I participated in the celebrations. As compared to where I am now, the community in my hometown are very close knit when it comes to Islamic celebrations. Without fail, we will have people coming over for marhabans, separated into 2 sessions, men and women of all ages. It was from them did I learn the marhabans, nasheeds and berzanji. Berzanji is now a dying art.
Something else that I am unable to find here is the makan berdulang. Normally, after the marhaban or berzanji sessions, the hosts will serve refreshments and one of the ways to serve was the makan berdulang. It's basically food placed in a circular tray where 4-5 people will share the food by eating from the tray.
There are 2 ways of doing it::
1st. - The dishes are placed into bowls, the bowls placed in the tray and people scoop it from there. If the bowls are placed directly on the table / sapra [cloth to cover the floor], then it is called makan berhidang.
2nd. - The dishes are ladled straight into the centre of the tray, no plates, no cutlery. Sometimes someone will divide it into portions, or else everybody just help themselves to it using their hands. Trust me, it can get excruciating at times particularly when you have friends fighting for the chicken. To solve matters, we do trade-offs, e.g. my chicken piece for your potato.
*First-timers may find the second approach as repulsive. Of course, one has to know the etiquette.
Friend:: I'm surprised. None of my Muslim friends ever share their food with me, and here you are sharing what's on your plate.Me:: Apparently, you don't know any southerners.
Note:: Makan berdulang I believe is actually a Malay culture. The response I gave was because I was being biased. :P
Hopefully, this answers to Ms. Unique's query. :)
9.57am Malaysian Time
11 comments:
Thank you for sharing a piece of your world, which I find beautiful and fascinating.
In my husband's culture a group of friends also share large platters of food. They also eat straight off the platter with their hands. They say it brings more baraka (blessings)if you share a single plate, than if each person eats seperately.
By the way, I love the pictures from the parade/Prophet's Birthday celebration. Thank you for posting it.
It looks lovely - colourful and vibrant!
Jazakallah khair for sharing sis...
stunning pics...
You've been awarded...
check my blog for details
http://humblemuslimah.blogspot.com/2009/03/for-moi.html
Thnx for the details ... I hope U know dat it's an innovation ...
Yoli:: You're welcome. ^^ Heard that your little family is growing. I'll be hopping over your blog later. :)
Hajar Zamzam Ismail:: Baraka is part of the interpretation in our culture albeit I have others of my own. I remember seeing the scenes in Saudi, so it brought back some fond memories. You're most welcome. :)
Solace In Islam:: ^^ And it was raining!
Mina:: Credit goes to the newspapers. LoL~ Thanks sis. I hope you're fine now. Take care. ^^
Ms.Unique:: One of the numerous innovations really... tedious to delve into each and every single one, seeking the authenticity.
For the benefit of others; there had been speculations whether the art of Berzanji [Qasidah] that is prevalent within the Malay community is bid'ah, primarily because the practitioners sing praises of their love to the Prophet which some deem as beyond the love one should have towards God. Some have claimed that part of the context is incredulous filled with maudhu information, although I have yet to find it. Because of that, I remove myself from it until I obtain the answers. In all, 12 years, still searching and I've forgotten how to Berzanji.
It's been such a long time since I had 'makan berdulang'. I used to have it in primary school during Maulidur Rasul celebration.
I think d qasidah is prevelent in other places too ... in India they call it Naath but they r full of praises of Prophet (SAWS) to level of Godliness which is surely haram .... this is what the Prophet (peace be upon him) feared and reminded the sahabah on his death bed; not to raise him to dat level like the christians and jews did to Jesus and Uzair (AS) respectively ....
Yup it sure will b good if u can find out dat ....
Hmmmmm @ Ms Uniques and Your convo.
I suppose we shouldn't really make a pomp of the Prophets Birthday. And definitely we should not think this is a religious duty else it will become Bidah..
However if a person partakes occasionally becasue of his love for the Prophet PBUH as an expression of His love then perhaps its okay. Its based on the Niyah.
But if you think its a religious duty then it would be a sin..
And Allah knows best Im not a learned Alim or anything so do please check your own scholars.
Its sunnah to hare food, more hands more barket thats what I've always been told. But one sunnah also is that we should eat from our side of the plate / dish.. Avod grabbing from the middle or snatching the other persons food. And As we r muslims, I guess we should always eat with Ikram.. Lett he others have the best pieces of meat and chicken.
Ash Mazelan:: Whenever I'm lazy to do the dishes, I'll suggest to the family "Makan berdulang jom!". And mum will say, "Don't be lazy!". LoL~
Ms.Unique:: Precisely. Because it is recited in sing-song verses, sometimes people get entranced by it.
Insya'Allah, if my Arabic classes goes well ending somewhere in 2012, I'll continue the research on this. I have gathered viewpoints from scholars etc. and the conclusion is as mentioned by brother Salaams. However, not that I am disregarding the translations or scholars viewpoints, I prefer to read the Berzanji books myself before coming to any conclusion.
Salaams:: Undoubtedly, it comes down to our Niyah. The trouble is when certain Berzanji books, in Arabic are said to contain dubious misleading information. As it is, the mass majority recite it without comprehension.
Yeah, there are several etiquettes involved. :)
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