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.

Salat Jumah- Friday Prayer

“O you who believe (Muslims)! When the call is proclaimed for the Salat (prayer) on the day of Friday (Jumah prayer), come to the remembrance of Allah (Jumuah religious talk (Khutbah) and Salat (prayer)) and leave off business (and every other thing), that is better for you if you did but know!” Holy Quran.

The holy day in the week for Muslims is Friday. When the Adhan is recited on this day, Muslims from every part of Lebanon meet in many mosques and pray together and many stores are closed. The number of mosques is very big, but the number os believers are bigger. As you can see in the photo people praying in the streets. 

While I was living in Brazil, I’ve never seen something like this. It is very nice to observe these public  acts of worship, where people are mentally transported to another world at least for a while. Praying with them or just looking,  making you feel somehow this spirituality, which every Friday repeats.

Another curious thing to look is the different places where Muslims pray, it can be in the beach, in the mountain, or any other place, when its time to pray they just pray wherever they are. It is very interesting how they abandon this life for some moments, interrupting any other thing that they were doing before. 

In addition to different places, is also very interesting to note, religious acts together, even if these are charged separately. Looking out the window the other windows, seeing each different house with each different person praying in the same direction at about the same schedule.

As a set of invisible energy on our souls, forces that we do not see but we might feel.

I am not saying that Lebanon is a place of Saints, they are far from it, we are far from it, but maybe a place where they try to be close to God wherever and whenever.

In the moment of Adhan

The adhan is the call to prayer. Every Muslim in this time is being called to worship God. In some neighborhoods when the Shia adhan sounds, some people in the first sentence of the adhan : Allahu Akbar (God is great) put the right hand on the head. Which means respect and glorification. It is interesting to observe people walking, others in their homes, others driving the car, but at that time many with the same "synchronized choreography".

Rituals of the Holy month: RAMADAN

“O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint,-”

As a Muslim friend of mine says: "Ramadan is the food of the spirit".

Religiously Ramadan is one of the most important period  in the Islamic World. Moreover in this Month most of traditions and rituals are held.

In the time of eftar(where the fasting is over and it is time to eat) :

In this month, families gather together more than ever, and dine together every night.  When the Adhan(Maghreb/ After Sunset) is recited in this month doesn’t mean just that it is a call to prayer, but also means that fasting is over, and already it's time to eat and drink. You look out the window and you do not see anyone on the streets, a harmonious silence. 

Moreover you can just watch people eating in their homes or on the balconies, and hear the noise of cutlery, glasses, etc...

Lebanon hardly lives quiet moments like these.

Fires:  

In the time of adhan some people set off fireworks to announce that it is time of eftar.

Exchange of Dishes: 

This month neighbors, exchange delicious plates, symbol of brotherhood and friendship. In my own building we have a very kind neighbor and in the time of eftar she always sends very delicious plates to us. Doesn’t matter if the plate is big or not, but this interaction between people is one thing that makes Ramadan Magic.

 

Drums:

If you are a  Muslim or not, you will certainly wake up in the middle of the night when you come to Lebanon in the month of Ramadan and stay in a Muslim neighborhood, because once every night during this month, at approximately three o'clock in the morning, young people walk with drums, shouting the phrase: "Oh those who are asleep, up to the worship of One God, have your Suhoor (the act of eating at daybreak to prepare for another day of fasting),because Ramadan is coming to visit you”.

So people wake up, the families usually sit and eat together again before the sunrise, then they perform the prayer of morning.

Ovens Open:

In suhur many people eat in their homes, others will buy the famous Manaish (looks like a pizza, and it also made ​​with pasta and cheese), in the month the ovens are open during all night.

  

Ornaments:

As every year, ornaments adorn every corner of the Muslims neighborhoods and central Lebanon,  lights as Christmas Eve, decorating the houses, stores and streets. Signs in all parts of Lebanon welcoming the Month of Ramadan.

Stirring Night:

 After the Eftar, people wander around Lebanon going to the beaches, mountains, eating delicious sweets, and smoking the flavored traditional arguile(huble bubble) two apples,the one preferred by the Lebanese population.

Typical Food:

The Arabic cuisine is delicious, much more in the month of Ramadan, where dishes, sweets and special drinks are prepared especially for the occasion. The good thing about all this is that if you're Muslim or not, you can enjoy the delights of this month.
This is the month of fasting, but also the month where people make delicious sweets, and typical food for this month which are not so spicy, because spicy food can make you thirsty in the next day.
Do not forget if you go to Lebanon at that time of year ask for Jalleb, a drink of this month, along with other natural juices, and delicious sweets as dates, Ataif, Namur Ma'a Ashta, Znoud Al-Set  and many others.

And As Lebanese says: Sahten (health for you).

Restaurants:

In the Muslim neighborhoods, Restaurants are empty during the day and filled at night, and even some people who are not fasting prefer not to eat in public this month in respect of others. Also swimming pools, beaches are empty at this time.

Supplication and reading the Holy Qur'an:

Religious Leaders recommend  a lot of supplication in this month, and other prayers. Many meetings are made ​​for reading the Holy Quran. Believers are going to the mosque more often, and rely more and more to God the Most High.

The night of Decree:  

"Indeed, We sent it [i.e. the Qur’an] down during the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit [i.e. Gabriel] descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn." [Quran: 97: 1-5] 

The Noble Quran was sent down in the night of Al-Qadr(Decree), the blessed night. It is the anniversary of the night when the first verses of Quran were revelead to Prophet Muhammad(PBUH&HP).

In this night Muslims stay in worship all night, praying and asking for blessings.

Eid ul-Fitr (Feast of the fast break):

Marks the end of the Month of Ramadan, muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr. Three days of holiday, in the first day they make a morning prayer in the mosque and pay the zakkat(the charity), usually the other days they visit each other, exchange gifts and many families go to their villages and visit their live relatives and their dead ones.

By the way now I am fasting it is Ramadan!

 Ramadan Kareem!