IGYARAIN
(The Eleventh)
Fasting on the 11th day of every month (Igyarain) was considered to bring prosperity, but it was not associated with any vow. The observance emanated from the Sufi custom of honoring Sheik Ghouse Mohiuddin Abdul Qadir Gilani (RA). It was an observance old and middle aged women never liked to miss. The day was important for poor feeding, alms giving and offering the benefits of Khatam to the deceased parents or relatives. The ladies would have completed at least one Khatam every month to fulfill this obligation. It is said that the Saint used to arrange a feast on the 11th / 12th of every month to bestow the Sawab of Khatam and Charity in favour of the Prophet (SA). The observance of the fasting ended with offering two rakaats of prayer after the Fard and Sunnath prayers of Maghrib. In each of these two rakaats Surah Ikhlas was recited 11 times after Surah Fatiha, following a tradition of the Prophet (SA).
The month of Rabiul Akhar (Rabiu-thani) was known as the Igyarain Jo Mheno, the month of the eleventh day. Ghouse Mohiuddin breathed his last on the 11th of this month. As the observance of the 11th day was instituted by him, anniversary of his death was also called Igyarain, from where the month also derived its nick name. The month was celebrated with especial offerings of charity and conducting Muhaiyiddin Moulud or reciting Muhaiyiddin Mala, in the local language, a prose - poetry mix deliberating on his life and activities to revive Islamic philosophy. This month, however, was not considered with favour for auspicious undertakings, especially for marriages, as Sufis grieved over his death. Hence this month is also called Khali, barren or empty and following month, Rabi-ul-Akhir, as Biyo Khali.
It was believed that Abdul Qadir Gilani (RA) had said that "whoever in his distress cries to me for help, he will be relieved of his distress; whosoever in his difficulty calls by my name, his difficulty will be solved; whosoever in his time of need makes me as his intermediary to Almighty Allah, his needs will be fulfilled. Any person who performs 2 Rakats of Namaaz in which after Surah Fateha, recites Surah Ikhlas 11 times and then making salaam sends Durood on the beloved Prophet (Peace be Upon Him), the garden of mercy, after which he thinks of me and takes 11 steps towards the direction of Baghdad calling my name, then presents his need, with Almighty Allah’s permission his need will be fulfilled.” A strong conviction in these words led to the practice of making prayers to the saint for relief of all kinds. Such a situation was untenable for the later generations which relied heavily on the Wahhabism and related orders. Whether asking for help and intervention by dead saints tantamounts to absolute shirk or not is still being debated. As such it is no wonder that Memons of a less enlightened age fully relied on the Karamat and intervention by the Saints.