In the Muslim world, the concept of time lurks just below the surface in determining what a person does or doesn’t do during those periods.
Certain hours of the clock are lucky or unlucky. one of the well-known hadith relates that God comes down to the earth as dawn approaches.
The days of the week are themselves differentiated according to whether they are lucky or unlucky. In the Nubia region, in south Sudan and crossing over into south Egypt along the Nile, the evenings of Mondays and Thursdays believed the best times for hadrs performance or trance dances.
Other days of the week carry a negative or unfortunate connotation. In Palestine, Wednesdays and Saturdays are dangerous because of the activities of demons.
Important days of the year are like the tenth day of the first month of Muharram. The night of destiny or power, usually celebrated on the twenty-seventh of Ramadan, is especially auspicious. Angels are present on earth in such numbers that there is no room between them even for a needle.
Certain days are the most favourable for holding naming ceremonies, circumcisions and weddings. Shrine visiting is most effective on the mawlid of the saint concerned, or else on a Friday or Thursday.
Months of the year are similarly differentiated. Most Muslim communities seem to place extra emphasis on the last Wednesday of Safar.
Ramadan, the ninth month, is the month of fasting, and is definitely the ‘blessed’ month. The eleventh month, Dhul-Qada, is the time for resting, while the twelfth, Dhul-Hijja, is the time for pilgrimage.
Such concepts of time influence the way ordinary Muslims look on life in general and order the activities of specific days or hours.
