These are very common in the Hyderabadi circles around the world.
Although I know of them, I have never actually been involved in one.
Can someone please give a detailed account of what goes on at a child’s Bismillah?
Many thanks in advance…
Re: Bismillah Ceremonies
Seriously? Nobody knows?
Re: Bismillah Ceremonies
Can someone please give a detailed account of what goes on at a child's Bismillah?
Many thanks in advance.....
hmm... I need to get exact details from my Mommy, will get back here soon!
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What is it for?
Is it like an Aqeeqa?
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^Its for Bismillah for a child to start reading Quran
Sorry Muzna dont know much about the arrangements.. will ask someone and let u know
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As the eldest child I had my Bismillah’ ceremony when I was 3, I think…As much as I can recall, it was a family get together type…all dressed up, just like any party. the only difference was that I read the first page of Qaida in front of guests n recited kalima etc. which my mum made me memorise.
I remember my ‘Aameen’ a lot better. I was seven n had finished Quran Pak once. and my two cousins who were my age …all 3 of us started namaz the same day …we were dressed in white frocks with silver ‘kiren’ on 'em. we were given new prayer mats And brand new lotas too! 
All 3of us performed wuzoo (with new lotas, of course) recited some part from The Holy Quran in presence of my Daadi amma…n then a prayer …Ammi n my other two Taai amma prepared some yummy food n i think that was it!
Sadly I couldn’t do much for my own kids except for calling everyone back home n tell them the news. My MIL did give out some food as charity , upon hearing the news though!
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Actually its usually done when the child turns chaar saal, char maheenay and chaar din.
Sorta like a milad thing where the ustaani or maulvi makes the child recite the first surah and then after that the poor kid is ready to be brainwashed by the mullahs.
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Isn't just a rasam - child reads bismillah, says the dua, maulana usually present too, lots of khana and mithai.
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yup...my cousins had it same way. Everyone gathers around the child or child sits in the middle of the crowd so everyone can see and hear closely and he/she they repeats after the maulana or a parent whoever is going to teach them to read Quran. So they read bismillah and a small surah it only lasts for 4-5 mins. Then everone says mubarak mubarak and hugs the kid :D
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Bismillah ceremony is traditionally held at the age of four to mark the child's readiness to read the Quran in Arabic. A similar Ameen ceremony marks the child's first full reading.
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Does any one know where the 4 years, 4 months 4 days has roots in for bismillah?
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Is it only done by us Hyderabadis? Wow.. I thought everyone did it. What about Aameen ceremonies when you finish the Quran?
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Wow, I'm all for everybody having their own beliefs, but I sure am glad my parents didn't do all this which I'm sorry but I consider nonsensical traditions. Making a child read the Quran in a language he/she doesn't understand. These things are only done in the subcontinent. You'd be hard pressed to find people doing these things in Malaysia, or the Arab Muslim countries.
But whatever, to each his own i guess. All I know is that it has absolutely no religious significance.
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Um.. i dunno, if ameens are realy Islamic or not... if they are fine, but if its just a cultural thing that has no root in Islam then it seems really ridiculous to have such a big party and stuff..for lots its just a party to show off how their kid is so smart that they read something they dont understand, just at a young young age..
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im not aware of the bismillah or ameen cermonies..but religious signficance or not; i think its an excellent way to encourage and appreciate the kids learning the Quran at such a young age. :k:
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I think that’s fairly common, although I never had one cause I didn’t want one. Fortunately, my parents listened to me.
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Maddy....I'm not Hyderabadi...but it was quite common in our family.....now bismillahs are rarely arranged but Ammens are still common.
As for having religious roots for this.....We don't arrange it as an 'absolute essential' If someone goes for it...good...if no, its ok tooPlus personally I believe its much better than celebrating valentines days, anniversaries n birthdays....these ceremonies don't have religious roots either but still ppl love to celebrate which is fine.Well, I'm going off topic now so I thin its time to stop.:)
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I think the main point of the Bismillah / Aameen ceremonies is not that it's an act of religious devotion.
Rather, the objective is to show off to everyone you know that your child has started / finished reading the Quran.
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In my family we do Ameens more frequently than Bismillahs. But I believe they are both excellent forms of encouragement.
As most of the Toronto guppies know, Ibrahim and I have not done any birthdays for Noor. By the age of four, most kids have had some sort of birthdays with many friends and relatives being invited. In fact, most of the family birthdays (first or seconds) have been large enough to be held in banquet halls with catered dinners, etc. We decided to break with tradition and have her Bismillah instead.
LB is right......the Bismillah is held when the child has reached the age of four years, four months and four days at least. The significance of this is unknown to me but I am suspicious that it has some origins in the hadees that suggests a fetus in the womb receives it's soul at four months and some days. (This is mere speculation so please, don't take it for gospel. I am still looking into the details.)
Now....whether or not reading the Holy Quran is useful as a tool in life in Arabic when you really don't understand what you are reading is besides the point for me. Ammi always said, you should use the Quran as a reference book in life, but once, just once, finish it in Arabic as that is the original language and in the event you should need to, you should be able to read and pronounce it correctly. Besides, no child at such a young age would understand the concepts addressed in the Quran even if he/she was reading it in a language he/she understood.
At the end of the day, for me the Bismillah for Noor holds the significance of an encouragement as she begins her formal education (both Quranic and academic as she will start school that same year). A celebration that will surround her with the duas of those that love her, insha-Allah.
There is more to the actual ceremony.....something to do with ladoos......
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^ great post :k: