Sufism in Lebanon (Saida)

                                                  

Part II- Tariq El-Rifa'iyah

Sufism in Lebanon(Saida)

                                                        
Part I- Tariq El-Rifa'iyah

We in the Church Mar Marcos-Jbail

                                                           
Sunday Mass in the Church in Jbail, we went there, and got beautiful photos and video.

Holy Oil

A consecrated oil used in the administration of certain sacraments and ecclesiastical functions. Also there are Oils of different Saints, and Christians use it in their food, or use it when there is any pain in the body etc...

Going to the Church Mar Elias in Niha, Zahle, we were very welcomed, a very gentle woman explained us many things about the church and about Christianity. She also put the oil in my forehead even knowing that I am a muslim, also she did the sign of the cross in my head and also offered us the communion Bread and we shared it.

                                                           
Here we were in the Church Mar Elias, a Rome Ortodox Church.

Superstitions

Like all the Arab, Lebanese people are also very superstitious. Although religion often is against it, some traditions never die. My grandmother Turkish Greek Orthodox, already said put this protection( accessory of blue eye) on your clothing, against evil eye. Here in Lebanon many stores sell this type of blue eye, which is "supposed" to protect the evil eye. Not only clothes, but accessories such as pendants, bracelets and earrings are used.

Even in cars and houses many ornaments of protection are seen in both houses  Christians and Muslims. Knock on wood is also a custom, in order to not be hit by envy. 

 Many Lebanese Christians and Muslims are very mystical and believe in witchcraft and in people who read the future in a cup of coffee, or hands.

Their religion condemns such acts, however it seems that sometimes people give more attention to tradition than to Religion, or mix it.

Insence

In many churches that I've visited, they give me Incense, and they use it in many ceremonies.

Incense is used in worship by Christians since antiquity, most of all in the Eastern Churches. It is an old practice rooted in the traditions of Judaism or even before. Is a mystical symbol as the prayer of the believer is raising  to heaven. In Islam, Muslims sometimes use the Incense in the cemetery in the graves of the saints or the loved ones.  Incense may also be used in the practices of certain Sufi orders. 

Mawlid

Birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH%HP), or Jesus (PBUH) or any other Prophet, or  Imams or Guardians, is the reason for celebration for the Islamic Umah, they celebrate these days so vibrantly in honor of those religious figures. The Mawlids are meetings where a Sheikh is called to tell how and where  the story took place, and religious songs are sung and accompanied with Darbake (Arabic instrument), and people even dance the folk dabke. Like any Lebanese celebration food is never lacking. If you come by, do not let go one of these celebrations.

Some other people do commemmorate in other ways, praying and reading the Holy Quran, and some celebrate in both ways.

Candles

Ending the Electricity in Lebanon is a common occurrence especially in the suburbs, but candles are widely used not only to solve this problem, but in every celebration, birth or death of a saint, candles, decorate the streets and many balconies of houses.
Candles have played a crucial part in religious and spiritual rituals since the candle was invented.  The first candles have been noted in history during pagan rites.
The candles are religious icons for many religions, they are a symbol of faith. For the Catholic side, they light the candles in events and most of the ceremonies performed, and also for the glorification of some Saint.
Muslims use candles in Lebanon no to glorify any image, but these are scattered in the street or windows, in the sense that some important character of religion was born or died on that date.

Regardless of Religion, is the faith that keeps the candle lit.

 

 

Eid al- Adha- Feast of the Sacrifice

People slaughter a sheep in honor of the Hajj rituals reminiscent of the episode when Prophet Abraham(PBUH) had to sacrifice his own son but God made him sacrifice a ram instead. In Lebanon people go to pray in the mosque and they also sacrifice the sheep and give it to poor people. It is a three-day off where Lebanese enjoy with their families and go out with their best clothes. Also  graves of the deceased are  visited during the day of  Eid al-Adha.

The Takbir is recited from the dawn of the tenth of Dhu al-Hijjah to the thirteenth, see a small part of it.

Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar    الله أكبر الله أكبر الله أكبر
lā ilāha illā Allāh    لا إله إلا الله
Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar    الله أكبر الله أكبر
wa li-illāhil-hamd    ولله الحمد

Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest,

There is no deity but Allah

Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest

and to Allah goes all praise

Billboards and Signs

In all districts of Lebanon, in Christians or Muslims neighborhoods, we can see the billboards and signs scattered all over with figures and religious leaders of both religions. Many times those billboards are symbol of policy and other times they are entirely religious.

 Besides religious leaders and holy figures, other signs are on the streets of Lebanon, such as religious events to come, the Prophet's birth, Christmas, Ramadan etc...

Everyone is aware of a new event being religious or not.

Pilgrims you are wellcome!

Decorations throughout the city are signs that the pilgrims are returning from Mecca, where they performed one of the pillars of Islam, to visit Kaaba. The entries of the building, houses, and many other places are decorated.

They are very well received by family, friends, neighbors, and everything always accompanied with great food.

The pilgrims bring with them the holy water of Zam Zam(that flowed miraculously to the Prophet Ismail (PBUH) and give it to their relatives and friends who feel blessed.

It is a nice commemoration, you must see it!

Ashura's days

In the days of Ashura, Muslims Shiias and also Sunni remember the martyrdom of the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP), Imam Hussein (PBUH). Ten days of remembrance of the massacre made against the life of the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP), who had the head cut, relatives and companions dead, and  he was deprived of food and water, and was assassinated in this manner thirsty and hungry, a tragedy that marked the world history not only among Muslims but even for many Christians the sacrifice of Imam Hussein (PBUH) and his martyrdom are great lessons of life. Some people regardless of religion can recognize great personalities.
These days there are many kinds of rituals and ways of remembering this massacre, some choose charity, others choose the Majlis ( which is the meeting with the story told by a Sheikh in a singing manner). They turn off the room lights up to let the environment more spiritual and more freedom for those who let the tears fall. Others made food in the streets in large pots and give to people, these food are typical food as Rhrice(made with grains and chicken), and also some sweets.
Moreover you can see that the color of Lebanon changes in these days, Muslims Lebanese wear much more black clothes than ever as a sing of lute and in many places you can hear the Anasheed (A kind of religious songs or recitations).

The tenth day of Ashura, people go  to the mosque, where Sheik tells about the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (PBUH), and how he had his head cut off.  After people go marching in the streets showing that Imam Hussein (PBUH) for Muslims is a symbol of justice, martyrdom and the struggle against the oppressor, and these feeling of justice and martyrdom should never die.