Belief rituals

It can be described as the rituals practiced due to strong belief or its

constant practice over generations. he approach taken is that of cultural
relativity--religious practices or beliefs are not evaluated in terms of their
"correctness" or "sophistication" but, rather, in terms of their function within
the societies that have them. These are imprinted mostly by folklores. There
are numerous ways in which people are practicing such acts from centuries
and due to being a third world country Pakistan has also became a victim to
such beliefs. Religious beliefs provide shape and meaning to one's perception
of the universe. In other words, they provide a sense of order in what might
otherwise be seen as a chaotic existence. Religions also provide
understanding and meaning for inexplicable events such as a loved one
being killed in an earthquake or some other unpredictable force of nature.
For most religious people, their beliefs about the supernatural are at the very
core of their world views. Most religious rituals are performed in special
places and under special conditions, such as in a dedicated temple or at a
sacred spot. This is an intentional separation between the secular and the
sacred. By being removed from the ordinary world, the sacred acts are
enhanced for the believers. The separation makes the rituals more effective.
Only allowing initiated people to participate in religious rituals also can have
the same effect.
Some of the beliefs are :

Peer Mureed Conceptions:

Actually the real concept was far more different from the one implemented. A
Mureed is a person who pledges allegiance to a Shaykh to gain spiritual guidance from him (the
Shaykh accepts, and the person becomes his Mureed), often Mureeds have such respect for their
Shaykhs, they become their Khadims (Servants). As true Shuyukh are often Wali's (Friends) of
Allah, having purified their actions, attained taqwa and perfected their Ibadat. It is very
rewarding for a person to be in their service. If they attain the love of their Shaykh, then no doubt
they will be in his dua. Being in the dua of a friend of Allah, helps you to get closer to Allah,
being under the guidance of a Shaykh as a Mureed as allows you to become closer to Allah SWT.
However the people got a chance to make use of needy people and make money. fraudulent
peers employ the system of bayt (initiation of disciples into the spiritual orders of tasawwuf)
as a lucrative trading practice, charging at times exhorbitant fees as payment for initiation. The
money-making racket does not cease at the admission fees. An annual renewal. fee also has
to be paid to avoid expulsion and the inauspicious wrath of the fraudulent mentor who acts as

the agent of shaitan. Besides the admission and renewal fees, there are several other sidecharges which have to be paid for dubious spiritual acts and customs.Now a days rare real Peer
or spiritual leaders exist. They make money, do adultery,make slaves in name of Peeri
Mureedi.The Mureed present their wives, daughter and sons in Peers service forever.

Funeral ceremonies:
In Pakistan as we all have seen that whenever a person dies we practice certain
things which we never question we just exercise them. The first thing which is done
is gathering. Like a wedding from neighbors to block members and from same city
relatives to relatives across Pakistan all start gushing into the house and then
another ritual gets practiced which is mourning. Women mainly start crying in a
loud pitch when they enter the deceaseds house and then it is carried on till burial.
This makes the family members more emotional and more prone to shocks and
becoming emotionally unstable. The next thing which is the center of focus is
arrangement of food as ample people are there, their food arrangement becomes a
necessity and it is mainly done by the brothers of wife is a husband dies or by some
other close relatives. It is also practiced in societies that the neighbors arrange the
food on decided days. After burial the food is distributed and the family gets ready
for arrangement of 2 consecutive days for the Qulls and Duas Proceeding Thursday
remains a matter of focus because arrangements are done for the recitation of Holy
Quran and Prayers. Subsequently daswaan & Chaaliswan are the days on which the
relatives and neighbors are to be summoned for dua and recitation of HOLY QURAN
and obviously the food and other arrangements are done too

Tying of Infants:
Named as Swaddling, In most areas of Pakistan the infants hand or feet is
tied so that he should stay at one place unable to move, claiming that he
may not get injured, This would make him grow taller and straight. Claims
indicate they believe that the child get a sound sleep too due to this.
However the reality is different .The children become victim of various
perilous syndromes such as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Moreover that
child may suffer from stunted mind and body growth and other health issues
in later life.
There are several empirical studies that clearly demonstrate the negative
effects of swaddling.
Swaddling, especially traditional forms, increases the risk for hip dysplasia
Tight swaddling, particularly where the head is covered, reduces the baby's
ability to cool its body temperature which can lead to hyperthermia In the
scientific literature, a tragic case is described in which a heavily wrapped

child died of hyperthermia In one study, the risk of developing respiratory

infections increased fourfold by swaddling.
A pediatrician found in his sample the flattening of the occipital aspect of
the head of babies, who were wrapped tightly and lay in their traditional
cradles.

Conclusion:
In order to prevent the practice of all such beliefs some significant measures
must be taken into consideration by not only the government but individuals
too. The First and very important measure is to comprehend Islam, its beliefs
and Sunnah thoroughly. Then surveying that the person to get allegiance
from is really worthy of it or not. Female education level must be raised in
order to make better children and generations. The existing females must be
given certain lectures by doctors campaign about superstitious beliefs. By
Thinking logically we can get account on certain things and prevent
ourselves from practicing illogical things, Moreover Acquiring Authentic knowledge
is very important as without it we cant term any belief as true or false. Moreover transfer of
awareness is very important too. Without this a social change cant be practiced. Illiterates who
dont understand theoretical things should be taught by exemplifications of accurate beliefs. As
a government is very important in shaping a country it should take notice of
such things, pass laws and include prevention techniques into syllabus of
higher education individuals who are more prone to practice them. As social
media is widely used awareness must be spread across it. New and more
authentic ides strong argumentations should be stated so that they become
influential