Beliefs and Merit-Making Traditions among Muslims in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

Abstract

This study research is aimed at studying the belief and the practice of doing merit (Tam boon: Thai) of the Muslims in Ayutthaya Province by studying documents concerned relating to the belief and the Faith in Islam and the Islamic principles concerning doing merit. The field research is conducted through sampling group concentrating on educated people, seniors and members of the masjid (mosque) in Ayutthaya Province. They are 400 people in member using questionnaires on the belief and practice of doing merit by Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.94. Using computer program SPSS For windows in analyzing data to be submitted in percentage and means. The result of the research is that to do merit of The Muslim of Ayutthaya tends to be more correct to the Islamic precept than goes against it. That is to say the research which is focused on 3 major categories of doing merit came out with 13 types, 8 of which is corresponding to Islamic precepts. There are 1) to do merit in ‘aqiqah,. 2) on circumcision (Khitan) 3) on (Walimah) feast, 4) on going to hajj, 5) feast in Ramadan, 6) moving into a new house . 7) on a vow, 8) on the birthday of the prophet (Mawlid) The belief which does not go along with the Islamic precepts are 1. having feast on the last Wednesday of Safar Month 2. having feast on Arshura' 3. having sent on nisf al-Sha’ban (in the half of Sha’ban Month) 4. having feast in three days, seven days, forty days, and hundred days continuously, dedicating the reward to the deceased. The researcher does not find having feast on bees making hive in the house of Muslim Ayutthaya. This shows that some of their beliefs lie on Islamic precepts but some don't. This deviation might come from other factors mixing up with some ancient Persian. While others might come from Malay- ethnic of Northern Malaysia by coming of this group the Islamic culture is blended up with the local culture that originated various alien practices that are not Islamic. Any how, Ayutthaya Muslims have a firm belief that what was been practiced will bring them closer to Allah and His blissfulness by providing meals or doing merit as it is called. The result of this research is also found that some Muslims of Ayutthaya would like to do merit though having little sustenance. This indicates that Muslim of Ayutthaya prefer to be poor in the present world, but rich in the Hereafter, he Immortal world.