Muharram Apps Help Azadaars Fulfill Spiritual Goals
A case in point are the Muharram apps that make it easy for the tech-savvy generation of azadaars (mourners) to catch up with their amaal (special prayers), read scriptures in their own language, and schedule their ziyarat (supplications). Most of these apps are free and available for smartphones running on android and iOS platforms.
"The biggest advantage with the apps is the facility of transliteration. This is a boon for many youths of our generation who aren't well versed with Urdu or Arabic. The prayers are written in roman script which makes their recital easy," said Mohd Raza, a local resident.
Besides helping plan prayer schedule by day or week, these apps also provide details on duas (supplications) to be recited on specific occasions like Ashura or the 10th of Muharram. Some also narrate the story of Karbala in a day-by-day account while others have nauha (elegiy) recordings.
"This is the age of multi-tasking and technology is quite handy in striking a balance between work and religious responsibilities. Till I got the app, my schedule for duas during Muharram kept accumulating which burdened my mind," said Mariyam Fatema who works in a private bank.
Shia cleric Maulana Saif Abbas said that technology has helped people fulfill their spiritual goals. "There were times when people were not able to catch up with the schedule of prayers because they had to work for survival," he said. He however cautioned that the younger lot must consult elders or clerics once in a while to avoid treading on the wrong path. Citing an example, he said, "Certain ayats of the holy Quran make sajda (prostrating) obligatory. Therefore, these ayats should not be recited on the go."
Spokesperson, Darul Uloom Deoband, Ashraf Usmani said that good use of technology was worth appreciating. "Use of technology for spreading correct teachings in Islam should be encouraged. After all, we have to adjust to the need of the times we live in."
Source: Times of India
