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Almost every Thursday night, my parents light a candle, bring some drinks (usually just milk mixed with rooh afza) and we recite Surah Al-Fatihah once followed by Surah Al-Ikhlas three times. We do this once for the 14 infallibles, and again for our deceased relatives. Then, we drink from the milk, and put out the candle. There are some variations to this, but this is usually what we do every Thursday night. My mother calls this "nazr". I have lots of questions about this. Firstly, why is it called "nazr"? Isn't this word based off the arabic word "nadhr", which means a vow? But it doesn't seem like we are making a vow. I have also heard that "nazr" in urdu means black magic, but looking online I can't find anything to confirm this. In fact, on this site it looks like it means a gift, or an offering. This seems more close to what we're doing, I guess we are offering the milk we're drinking as an offering? But to whom? Are we offering it to the 14 infallibles and our deceased relatives? I don't understand that, because it doesn't seem like offering the milk (which we later drink ourselves) would benefit them in any way. 13 of the 14 infallibles are deceased, and the one who is alive never appears to drink the milk. Therefore, it can't benefit them. The deceased relatives hence also cannot benefit from the milk. It then may follow from that that our gift is towards Allah. But Allah does not need our gift, because he is self-sufficient. So now I am confused what our gift is for, if we are using the urdu translation of "nazr". Also, what is the arabic term for this? If "nazr" is not the correct term, then what is? What exactly are we doing? I tried looking on Al-Islam.org but could not find any references to this practice. I guess I'm not really understanding the purpose behind the practice. One explanation could be that we are doing this to remember the 14 infallibles and our deceased relatives. But then why do we need the candle and the drinks? If someone could help clear these questions for me, that would be very helpful. Thanks in advance.

May the peace, blessings and mercy of God be upon you all. I am aware that Sunnis believe that the Messenger of God used to fast on Mondays and Thursdays. What do the Shias believe with this matter? Is it true, or not? Do Shias condemn this statement or not? Do Shias have a different belief? Also, I would like to fast outside of Ramadan because it increases my taqwa, am I allowed to do this, if no, why? If yes, on what days? [Any hadith on fasting outside of Ramadan for Shias?] I would like to say that I am not here to refute with anyone. Thank you.

As Salam Alaykoum Wa Rahmatoulahi Wa Barakatuh, I have always wondered... Dua Kumayl should be recited on Thursday Nights... That being said, knowing that in the Hijri calendar, a day always begins with the night at Maghrib time and then goes on to the day part... as supposed to a day in the Gregorian calendar which goes from midnight to midnight. My question is: Shouldn't we recite Dua Kumayl on Wednesdays after Maghrib time (Gregorian time), because if we recite it on Thursday Nights (Gregorian time), aren't we already Friday night (Hijri time)? Hopefully my question isn't too confusing lol! JazakAllah Khairan for your answers!

Salamun Alaykum, Hasnain Rajabali reciting Dua-e-Kumail: Wasalam, KautharWaNahr