MUMBAI: With the final ‘Ashra’ or ten days of Ramzan under way, fasting Muslims are making the most of the season by blending prayer with charity and feasting.
The annual Fitra amount to be donated by each fasting individual this year ranges from Rs 70 to Rs 1,050.
And the all-important 27th roza, which is believed to be the night of Laylatul Qadr when Archangel Gabriel revealed the first verses of the Quran Majeed to Prophet Mohammed, occurs on the intervening night of Saturday April 6 and Sunday April 7.
Tuesday April 2 marked the close of the 22nd roza. In a few days, the season will draw to a close after either the 29th or 30th roza. Eid ul’ Fitr will be celebrated the following day.
Ramzan is the ninth and most important month of the Islamic calendar. It is the promise of All Almighty that fasting is an act performed only for Him and He alone will present the reward of the ‘sawm’ (Ramzan fast).
The month is divided into three ‘Ashra’s or segments comprising 10 days each, the first promising the Rahmat (mercy) of Allah Almighty, the second Maghfirat (forgiveness) and the third ‘Nijaat’ (emancipation).
The third ‘Ashra’ brings Ramzan season to full blossom in terms of shopping, feasting and charity. It is then that the most important night of Laylatul’ Qadr is believed to fall — on one of the odd numbered dates, either the 21st, 23rd, 25th or 27th roza.
The general belief goes that Shab E’ Qadr falls on the night of the 27th roza which is the intervening night of Saturday April 6 and Sunday April 7 this year. Most Muslims, especially those observing the Etikaaf seclusion, intensify prayers this night.
As the countdown begins towards Eid ul’ Fitr, the imminent separation from the month of blessing is felt keenly. The gentle transition from the pre-dawn Suhoor meal to a regular workday followed by Iftar thanksgiving at sunset, then the special Taraweeh namaz at night will all be missed.
Shariq Shaikh, a local businessman from Bandra said, “We settle to a new routine during Ramzan and even tune our shop timings to Iftar and Taraweeh namaz. Many youngsters who fail to pray diligently throughout the year fill the mosques during this holy month.”
Food is a universal highlight of the season. Residents of the western suburbs have been flocking to savour Ramzan delicacies at an Iftar Bazaar along Jogeshwari SV Road outside the station.
A cluster of stalls selling hot kebabs, rolls, fritters, breads, halwa paratha and malpua nestle below the Allah Wali Masjid while others are spread across all the way to Behrambaug Junction.
Local vendor Mohammed Sajid said, “In keeping with the spirit of the festival, there is a variety of fare for people of all economic classes and tastes. You will see ten-rupee samosas or kebabs filled with soya or potato — or spinach and mint with small bits of chicken for Rs 20-25. At the other end of the spectrum there are chicken and mutton kebabs, rolls and rich malpuas costing Rs 100-150 each. A quarter kg of bright orange halwa and hot maida paratha comes for Rs 50. The aim is to ensure that even poor people can fulfil their fast comfortably, and the palate is pleased as well.”
Meanwhile, needy individuals apart from mosques, madrassas and community NGOs are reinforcing calls for Zakaat donations. Most people opt to offer Zakaat during Ramzan since the reward of each act of piety and prayer is multiplied 70 times.
And the mandatory Fitra donation by each fasting individual must be disbursed before men attend the Eid ul’ Fitr namaz on the morning of the festival. In olden days its measure was calculated by items like 1.75 kilo of wheat (which was costly since it was scarce), or 3.5 kg of either dates, barley or raisins. Today it is distributed in the cash equivalent.
Mosques have released the annual amount of Fitra to be given this year. The Sadaqatul Fitr amount for Ramzan 2024 calculated by Markazul Ma’arif in Jogeshwari is Rs 70 (1.5 kg of wheat) or Rs 140 (3.5 kg barley) or Rs 900 (3.5 kg of dates) or Rs 1,050 (3.5 kg raisins). A fasting Muslim man or woman may choose to donate any of these amounts as per their wish or capacity, but most people choose to pay the best they can.