What is the "nazr" we do every Thursday night?

[Guest clo]

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.

[Hameedeh]

16 minutes ago, Guest clo said:

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".

Salam. Nazr is a vow that someone makes. It is a covenant to perform a good act for Allah or to abandon an act that is better to leave. The nazr that one or both of your parents made is to read the Surah Fatiha (once) and Surah Ikhlas (3 times) for Masumeen and deceased relatives every Thursday night. 

Are your parents Sunni? Shias read Dua Kumayl on Thursday nights. 

16 minutes ago, Guest clo said:

then why do we need the candle and the drinks?

Can you ask your parents? It is probably in order to make this small event more enjoyable for you. Since the candle provides ambiance and you will be drinking your favorite drink. 

[Guest clo]

Wa alaikum asalaam. Thanks for your reply Hameedah.

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Nazr is a vow that someone makes. It is a covenant to perform a good act for Allah or to abandon an act that is better to leave. The nazr that one or both of your parents made is to read the Surah Fatiha (once) and Surah Ikhlas (3 times) for Masumeen and deceased relatives every Thursday night. 

I see! That makes a lot of sense. I will ask them about this.

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Are your parents Sunni? Shias read Dua Kumayl on Thursday nights. 

No, my parents are both Shias. We used to have an English version (and sometimes the Arabic with English subtitles) of Dua Kumayl play almost every Thursday when I was younger, but we no longer do this. We seldom recite Dua Kumayl as a family nowadays, but I think my mother still recites it regularly.

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Can you ask your parents? It is probably in order to make this small event more enjoyable for you. Since the candle provides ambiance and you will be drinking your favorite drink. 

Yes, I will ask them. I wanted to put a question on here because I wanted to get some general knowledge of the practice before asking them about it. However, I couldn't find any information online regarding it so I asked my question here.

[Hameedeh]

11 minutes ago, Guest clo said:

No, my parents are both Shias. We used to have an English version (and sometimes the Arabic with English subtitles) of Dua Kumayl play almost every Thursday when I was younger, but we no longer do this. We seldom recite Dua Kumayl as a family nowadays, but I think my mother still recites it regularly.

MashAllah. If your Mother reads Dua Kumayl by herself it could be because she knows others are busy and does not want to burden them. The dua is about 30 minutes long. If you wanted to read Dua Kumayl with her, she might be pleased to know that. 

[Sindbad05]

10 hours ago, Guest clo said:

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.

This is a good event and action. Many Muslims recite Hadith e Kissa on thursday. It is a majlis for religion and for your nearness to Allah AWJ. If your parents reads along you Surah Fatiha and Surah Ikhlas and then send it to 14 infallibles then 14 infallibles will also pray for you. As for drinking milk is concerned bro, this is boon of Allah and if you drink this while in doing a good deed, this is also Ibadah for you did not waste energy obtained from this in a wrong work. You should also say Alhamdolilah after drinking that and remember many poor people who could not have such drink occasionally.