Bukāʾ (بكاء)
Definition
Bukāʾ (بكاء) refers to the act of weeping and lamentation, especially in the context of mourning for the deceased. It involves an expression of grief through tears, which, within Islamic tradition, holds both cultural and theological connotations.
Etymology
The term Bukāʾ is derived from the Arabic root بكى (b-k-y), meaning “to weep” or “to cry.” This root appears across Semitic languages, with a similar term in Hebrew, בָּכָה (bakā), also meaning “he wept.”
Arabic and Turkish Translations
- Arabic: بكاء
- Turkish: ağlama
Islamic Perspective on Bukāʾ
The expression of grief through crying is a natural human emotion and is recognized in Islamic teachings. Prophet Muhammad is reported to have acknowledged the legitimacy of tears and sorrow as acts from God, whilst cautioning against excessive or immoderate lamentation:
<p>“Whatever is from the eyes (i.e., tears), and whatever is from the heart (i.e., sorrow), are from God; but what is from the hands and tongue is from the devil. Keep yourselves, O women, from wailing, which is the noise of the devil.” (Mishkāt, v. c. vii.)</p>
Cultural Practices and Controversies
Practices around Bukāʾ vary greatly across different Muslim communities. In many cultures, public displays of grief, including crying and wailing, are common at funerals and memorials despite the admonitions against excessive lamentation. Books such as “Arabian Nights”, “Lane’s Modern Egyptians”, and “Shaw’s Travels in Barbary” document these customs in various Islamic regions.
Legal Rulings (Fatwas)
Islamic legal rulings (fatwas) generally encourage the expression of natural grief through crying but discourage the acts of wailing and lamentation that could be seen as excessive. The key intent is to maintain the dignity and peace of the mourning period and focus on prayers for the deceased.
Takeaways and Conclusion
- Bukāʾ is a significant term in Islam, embodying the act of mourning through weeping.
- The practice has theological justifications but is moderated by teachings that caution against excessiveness.
- Variations in cultural practices across the Islamic world reflect a blend of adherence to and deviations from these teachings.
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “The Arabian Nights” by Sir Richard Francis Burton.
- “An Account of the Manners and Customs of the Modern Egyptians” by Edward William Lane.
- “Travels or Observations Relating to Several Parts of Barbary and the Levant” by Thomas Shaw.
By understanding the nuances of Bukāʾ, one gains deeper insights into Islamic mourning practices and the cultural contexts that shape them.
