Islam in India
Islam is the second most practiced religion in India. Arab
traders brought Islam to India in the 8th century. Mughal rulers and Muslim
traders also helped in the development of Islam in India. The most famous
preacher of Islam in India was Khwaja Chishti, who arrived from Iran and his
sect called Sufism. Followers of Islam are called Muslims. Muslims in India
are divided into two main sects – Sunni and Shia. The total population
of Muslims in India is around 11- 12 %. Muslims believe in one God –
Allah, one prophet – Muhammad, and one holy book – Quran.
Festivals :
Eid- ul- Fitr : It is celebrated to mark the end of Ramzan. Ramzan is the month of praying and fasting according to the Muslim calender. Giving Zakat on this day is obligatory. Greetings of Eid Mubrak are exchanged among people. It is the feasting and rejoicing.
Eid- ul- Adha : Eid- ul- adha is the day of sacrifice. It is celebrated on the tenth day of the month of Zul-Hijja, when the Haj celebrations at Mecca are rounded off by the sacrifice of goats or camels. In India also sheep and goats are sacrificed and prayers are offered.
Muharram : Muharram is the day of mourning for the shia muslims. The festival commemorates the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Holy Prophet. This festival starts at the 1st day of Muharram and lasts for 10 days until 10th of Muharram. Muharram is the first month of Islamic calendar.
Muslim pilgrimage in India :
Jama Masjid – New delhi
Humayun Tomb – Delhi
Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti- Ajmer
Taj Mahal - Agra
Qutab Minar – Delhi
Fatehpur Sikri
Charminar – Hyderabad
Pathar Ki Masjid – Bihar
Festivals :
Eid- ul- Fitr : It is celebrated to mark the end of Ramzan. Ramzan is the month of praying and fasting according to the Muslim calender. Giving Zakat on this day is obligatory. Greetings of Eid Mubrak are exchanged among people. It is the feasting and rejoicing.
Eid- ul- Adha : Eid- ul- adha is the day of sacrifice. It is celebrated on the tenth day of the month of Zul-Hijja, when the Haj celebrations at Mecca are rounded off by the sacrifice of goats or camels. In India also sheep and goats are sacrificed and prayers are offered.
Muharram : Muharram is the day of mourning for the shia muslims. The festival commemorates the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Holy Prophet. This festival starts at the 1st day of Muharram and lasts for 10 days until 10th of Muharram. Muharram is the first month of Islamic calendar.
Muslim pilgrimage in India :
Jama Masjid – New delhi
Humayun Tomb – Delhi
Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti- Ajmer
Taj Mahal - Agra
Qutab Minar – Delhi
Fatehpur Sikri
Charminar – Hyderabad
Pathar Ki Masjid – Bihar
