Author: Marisa Lopez Chicote TABLES OF MERCY – Marisa Lopez Chicote
Today we are going to talk about a beautiful Egyptian tradition of Ramadan closely related to another of the Pillars of Islam, helping those who most are in need. We are going to talk about the “Tables of Mercy” in Arabic “Ma’edat Al Rahman”.
This year like the last year, unfortunately it is not being possible to continue with this tradition due to the coronavirus crisis but we hope it will be resumed next year InshaAllah.
When the Holy month of Ramadan starts, the streets of Cairo are filled with “Ma’edat Al Rahman,” which is a vital ritual in Ramadan that illustrates social solidarity, something that characterizes the Holy Month. At these tables they are set up in each neighborhood and a complete meal is offered free of charge for the iftar, to all those in need or to anyone who passes by at the time of breaking the fast.
The name of these tables comes from the Surat Al Ma’eda of the Quran, which calls for the spread of mercy among Muslims. This tradition began in the time of the prophet Mohamed (aleiho assalato wa assalam).
It is said that it started with a group from Al Ta’ef in the time that the Prophet lived in Medina and they announced his conversion to Islam, so the Prophet then sent them food for fetar and suhoor. The caliphs who followed him continued the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad. Omar Ibn El Khattab established “Dar Al Deyafa” (the foster home) to provide food for those who were fasting.
The first Ma’edet Al Rahman in Egypt was in the time of Ahmed bin Toloun in 880 in the fourth year of his rule. He had prepared a party to which he invited merchants and dignitaries on the first day of Ramadan, then ordered them to open their homes to feed the poor. He also ordered that this decision be applied everywhere. This festival was when Ma’edet Al Rahman’s idea started in Egypt.
Over time, the tradition faded and then returned again during the Al Mo’ez leldein Allah Al Fatimi era, as he prepared a Ma’eda (table) for the people praying at the Amr Ibn Al Aas Mosque. The food was cooked in his palace and later distributed to the poor. Some of the tables were 175 m long. In the Fatimid era, palace workers would provide a large stock of sugar and flour, as well as sweets such as kenafah, qatayef, and baklava, and distribute them to the people of Egypt.
During the Abasi period, during the rule of Haroun Al Rashied, he would set the tables in his palace and wander around them in disguise to ask people who break their fast about the quality of the food so that they would honestly tell him their opinions. no flattery.
The Mamluk period in Egypt was famous for the generosity of rulers in spending on the poor and needy, as additional wages were given to workers, students, and orphans.
Ma’edet Al Rahman remained a Ramadan-related tradition throughout Islamic times, and the wealthy would compete to prepare tables every year.
In the 20th century, the tradition returned again under the government sponsorship of the Nasser Social Bank, which would prepare a table near the Al-Azhar mosque to feed 4,000 people. The first such Coptic table was established in the Shoubra neighborhood in 1969 in Al-Afadal square. Since then, these tables have been present on the streets of Egypt.
Some of the most famous Ma’edet Al Rahmans in Egypt are found in Al-Azhar, Al-Hussein, Al-Sayed Zeinab and Ramses Square.
These tables can also be found near restaurants that serve iftar.
Many mosques in Egypt set up these tables by collecting money from people who pray.
In the villages of Upper Egypt, young people hit the roads and sit on the side of the street around fetar time and invite car drivers to join them.
In many neighborhoods, neighbors come together on a Ramadan day and each neighbor brings several dishes and sets up a table for themselves and everyone who wants to join.
I love this tradition because it represents the spirit of help and sharing of Islam and the spirit of Ramadan and I hope that this crisis will soon pass and BismiAllah can be resumed.
About the Author: Marisa Lopez Chicote is an event planner and mother of 5, living in Cairo and Muslim since 1985, alhamdullah. She loves travelling and cooking.
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