Maulid albarzanji: A Comprehensive Guide to the Barzanji Book of Praise
Maulid albarzanji is an Android application developed by Daff Media. It is a free educational and reference app in the category of books. The app provides the original Arabic text of the Barzanji book of praise, along with its translation, aiming to facilitate understanding of the meaning of the book.
The Barzanji book is a collection of prayers, praises, and narratives about the life of Prophet Muhammad, recited with a specific rhythm or tone commonly used during occasions such as birth, circumcision, wedding, and the Prophet's birthday. It narrates the lineage, childhood, adolescence, youth, and the Prophet's appointment as a messenger. The book also describes the noble qualities possessed by Prophet Muhammad and various events that serve as examples for humanity.
Traditionally, the Barzanji is recited on various occasions as a form of hope for achieving something better. For instance, it is recited during the birth of a baby, the shaving of a baby's hair (akikah), circumcision ceremonies, weddings, and other ceremonies. Usually, people sit in a circle in village mosques, and one person recites the Barzanji, with the congregation joining in at certain parts. In the center of the circle, there is a cone-shaped rice dish (nasi tumpeng) and other small dishes prepared collectively by the local community. In some communities, the recitation of the Barzanji is accompanied by passing the recently shaved baby around the circle once. The clothes or fabric that people use to hold the baby are then sprayed with fragrant oil or dusted with powder.
Currently, the celebration of the Prophet's birthday with the Barzanji has diminished, and it is primarily focused in pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) affiliated with Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), one of the largest Islamic organizations in Indonesia.
With the Maulid albarzanji app, the ease of access to the Barzanji book and its translation can be beneficial to all users.