Mission of Prophet Mohammad (Mab'as Feast)

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Lesson Transcript

Culture Class: Holidays in Iran, Season 1, Lesson 14 - Mission of Prophet Mohammad (Mab'as Feast)

Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class- Holidays in Iran Series at PersianPod101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Iranian holidays and observances. I’m Eric, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 14, Mission of Prophet Mohammad (Mab'as Feast). In Persian, it’s called Eid-e Mab'as.

Do you know when and how Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam, was appointed as a prophet? The anniversary of this day is called Eid-e Mab'as or Be'sat in Persian, and is considered one of the most important of days of the religion of Islam.

In this lesson, you will learn that celebrations of Mab'as Feast are held on the 27th of Rajab, the seventh month of the lunar calendar, by Shia Muslims. On this day, people pray, fast, and perform ablutions, commemorating this event with great fervor.

Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question-

What do the words "Be'sat" or "Mab'as" literally mean, and why are these words used to refer to this day?

If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later, so keep listening!

Mab'as Feast is a celebration of the day on which Mohammad was selected by God Almighty as his messenger, or payaambar in Persian. It is said that while Hazrat-e Mohammad was praying and talking to God at the age of forty in the Hira Cave, the Angel of God Gabriel appeared before him, telling him, "read, read in the name of your God…" By reading, he meant to tell Hazrat-e Mohammad to recite the Quran. At the time, Hazrat-e Mohammad was illiterate, but miraculously began to recite the divine book. Upon this occurrence, Hazrat-e Mohammad was charged with his divine mission.

Shias in Iran believe this event occurred on the 27th of Rajab, but Sunni Muslims maintain that it occurred on "the Night of Destiny," which falls on the 21st of Ramadan. They point to the revelation of the Quran on this night as testimony to their belief. On this night, believers of God, such as Hazrat-e Mohammad, stay awake the whole night praying and worshipping God.

Nowadays, on the day of Mab'as Feast, Muslims perform full-body ablutions, fast, pray and visit the shrine, or haram, of the Prophet and the Imam Ali mosque. Another common practice on this day is called Salawat, which consists of uttering salutations and wishes of peace upon Mohammad and his household. Additionally, the Mab'as Feast celebrations are known for joyous ceremonies such as Pahlevani and Zurkhane rituals, which are demonstrations of the physical training of warriors preparing to fight invaders, somewhat similar to Asian martial arts.

Hira Cave, the place where Hazrat-e Mohammad used to go to worship God, is a cave, or ghaar, inside Mount Nour, located in the city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. This cave is now one of the most holy and blessed sites of Islam, and Muslims take pilgrimage from all over the world in order to pray in this holy spot.

Now it's time to answer our quiz question-

What do the words "Be'sat" or "Mab'as" literally mean, and why are these words used to refer to this day?

These words mean provoking, sending, awakening, and reviving. It is believed that God Almighty sent Hazrat-e Mohammad to this world so that he would "awaken" people from their negligence and show them the right path, which is why these words are of relevance.