Quran Memorizers in High Demand in India’s Hyderabad during Month of Fasting
In Ramadan, the Quran memorizers lead the Taraweeh prayers at mosques.
The holy month for Muslims is a time when these Huffaaz (memorizers) are in demand at mosques, private function halls, and gated communities where the Taraweeh prayers are held.
In Greater Hyderabad, there are around 8,000 mosques. “At a few mosques, the regular hafiz conducts the Taraweeh prayers. In other mosques, the committee through madrasa management hires one,” said Mufti Mohammed Jaweed, who leads the prayers at a mosque in Yakutpura.
Roughly, 15000 huffaaz find temporary jobs during Ramadan. “On average, a hafiz is paid around Rs 20,000 by the management of the mosque or the person who organizes the Taraweeh prayer at a private place. The people who attend the prayers as a goodwill give some amount,” said hafiz Syed Muzaffar. The hafiz said the honorarium received by them was for sparing their time and not for reciting the Quran.
In prominent mosques in the city, where huge gatherings are witnessed for Taraweeh prayers, the hafiz gets hefty remuneration and gift amounts.
During the rest of the year, the hafiz leads five-time prayers at the mosque or tutors the Quran to students at homes or Islamic seminaries. “For the job, they get a pittance as remuneration as mosques do not generate enough funds to pay them huge salaries,” said a masjid committee member.
Read More:
Taraweeh prayers are a special form of voluntary prayers that are performed during Ramadan nights. During Taraweeh, the Quran reciter completes 2 rakats in 10 sets that total up to 20 rakats. The hafiz completes the entire Quran in 1, 3, 5, 10 and 27 days. The Quran reciters practice their recitation during the day so that they make no mistakes in prayers.
Source: Siasat.com
