Visiting graves of loved ones
Paying respects: Family members praying around the grave of their departed relative. Locals pay respects and offer prayer to their dead loved ones during the month of Ramadhan. Picture: BT file
Saturday, September 6, 2008
FAMILIES yesterday flocked to the graves of their loved ones to pay their respects even this early into the holy month of Ramadhan.
Visiting family and loved ones' gravesites is encouraged among Muslims during Ramadhan.
During the visit, family members sprinkle bunga rampai as a sign of respect and pray for blessings for their loved ones.
"As much effort should be put into taking the time to visit loved ones' gravesites and does not have to be limited to just the last week of Ramadhan or first day of Hari Raya," said Hjh Zamsiah Hj Jalil, a mother who visits a departed loved one at the Kampung Pulaie gravesite.
Accompanied by her family of four during the visit, Hjh Zamsiah revealed that although her own family does not limit visits during the holy month, she understands the difficulty of making time to do so, citing demanding lives and jobs.
"An effort should at least be made during Ramadhan to pray for their relatives that have departed to relieve their souls so that they are spared from the punishment of the grave."
A number of families were seen clearing up their loved ones' gravesites yesterday and performing a recital of a chapter from al-Quran, the Yasin, and also tahlil prayers for the deceased.
The pouring of scented water with a mixture of scented wood, also known as asah asahan, was also performed after the prayers as each family member took turns to pour the scented water over the graves.
"Visiting your families' gravesites should be done often if only to clean up the area around their graves," said Hjh Norzirah Abdullah who paid a visit to her grandfather's grave with her family yesterday.
Hjh Norzirah expressed her dismay as she recounted finding her grandfather's grave covered with wild plants and weeds. "My family and I pulled off some of the weeds and it broke our hearts to see that it left a small hole in the grave."
The state of the grave made Hjh Norzirah more aware of the need to take better care of her departed one's grave. "In any case, remembering your loved ones by visiting their graves should not be limited to the month of Ramadhan. It is also a good practice for emotional comfort." The Brunei Times
Visiting family and loved ones' gravesites is encouraged among Muslims during Ramadhan.
During the visit, family members sprinkle bunga rampai as a sign of respect and pray for blessings for their loved ones.
"As much effort should be put into taking the time to visit loved ones' gravesites and does not have to be limited to just the last week of Ramadhan or first day of Hari Raya," said Hjh Zamsiah Hj Jalil, a mother who visits a departed loved one at the Kampung Pulaie gravesite.
Accompanied by her family of four during the visit, Hjh Zamsiah revealed that although her own family does not limit visits during the holy month, she understands the difficulty of making time to do so, citing demanding lives and jobs.
"An effort should at least be made during Ramadhan to pray for their relatives that have departed to relieve their souls so that they are spared from the punishment of the grave."
A number of families were seen clearing up their loved ones' gravesites yesterday and performing a recital of a chapter from al-Quran, the Yasin, and also tahlil prayers for the deceased.
The pouring of scented water with a mixture of scented wood, also known as asah asahan, was also performed after the prayers as each family member took turns to pour the scented water over the graves.
"Visiting your families' gravesites should be done often if only to clean up the area around their graves," said Hjh Norzirah Abdullah who paid a visit to her grandfather's grave with her family yesterday.
Hjh Norzirah expressed her dismay as she recounted finding her grandfather's grave covered with wild plants and weeds. "My family and I pulled off some of the weeds and it broke our hearts to see that it left a small hole in the grave."
The state of the grave made Hjh Norzirah more aware of the need to take better care of her departed one's grave. "In any case, remembering your loved ones by visiting their graves should not be limited to the month of Ramadhan. It is also a good practice for emotional comfort." The Brunei Times
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