"Writing off the accounts receivable book"... a Ramadan tradition passed down through generations in Turkey (Turkish press)

During the month of Ramadan, Turks continue to revive several Ramadan traditions that spread during the Ottoman era, as many social customs spread that Muslims were keen to perform during the month of Ramadan.

The Dean of the Faculty of Information at the Turkish Medipol University, Professor Ali Buyuk Aslan, stresses the importance of transferring the “important and authentic” Ramadan traditions rooted in Turkish society during the Ottoman and Seljuk eras to future generations in order to preserve their continuity, the most important of which are “writing off the accounts receivable book” and “renting teeth.” And "price books".

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The Turkish academic stated that “during the month of Ramadan, a social climate is spontaneously formed in which cooperation and assistance to the needy prevail, according to the Prophet’s hadith (so that his left hand does not know what his right hand is spending),” a metaphor for spending and giving charity in secret.

Among the Ottoman Ramadan traditions in Turkey are “writing off the receivables book,” which means writing off the debts of the poor for groceries, “dental rent,” when the wealthy open their doors to receive the poor for breakfast, and “narkh daftarleri,” to set prices.

Büyük Aslan: Paying off the debts of poor residents in the neighborhoods is a tradition known as “writing off the receivables book” i.e. “debt book” (Anatolia)

Imitation of “writing off the accounts receivable book”

Regarding the tradition of “writing off the accounts receivables book,” Aslan said, “Through this tradition, a merchant writes off the debts of poor and needy families in the neighborhoods in the “receivables books” or what are called today (debt books) found in the grocery stores” in the neighborhood.

He notes, "In fact, no one knows who paid those debts, or which families whose debts were paid."

He added, "The tradition of writing off the accounts receivable book flourished and spread during the era of the Ottoman Empire, and it still continues today, as one of the important traditions that shows the importance of promoting the spirit of solidarity and solidarity within society, where the rich extend a helping hand to the poor."

Tradition of "Narkh Notebook" for consumer protection

Buyukaslan also mentioned that the Ottoman era witnessed strong social solidarity against price fluctuations during the month of Ramadan.

He said, "Prices were recorded in special books known as 'Narkh Daftarleri' (price books) to protect the consumer from any fluctuations during the month of Ramadan. State employees would roam the markets disguised as public clothing to monitor the market's adherence to the specified prices, and not allow some merchants to play with the people's livelihood and needs." the public".

Imitation "rent teeth"

He talked about an Ottoman tradition called “dental rent,” in which the wealthy leave their doors open to receive the poor at the breakfast table.

During iftar, various gifts, sometimes containing small bags of silver or gold coins, are distributed to needy guests and are called “dental rent.”

The Turks are keen to perform Tarawih prayers in the Androni method, in which the Holy Qur’an is read with different recitations (Anatolia)

Tarawih prayers

On the other hand, the Dean of the Faculty of Information at Medipol University pointed out the Turks’ adherence to performing Tarawih prayers in the Androni method, in which the Holy Qur’an is read with different recitations.

He added, "Families are keen to accustom children to performing Tarawih prayers during the month of Ramadan, in a tradition that did not only exist during the era of the Ottoman Empire, but also during the era of the Seljuk Empire."

Buyuk Aslan stresses the importance of Ramadan traditions rooted in Turkish society during the Ottoman and Seljuk eras (Anatolia)

Charity

The Seljuks and Ottomans realized the blessings and virtues of the month of Ramadan, and left for subsequent generations Ramadan traditions that strengthen the bonds of society and strengthen its structure. The Turkish academic stresses the importance of instilling the values ​​of Ramadan traditions in the souls of children and youth, to ensure their transmission to future generations.

He said, "We experienced the blessing of the holy month within the family and schools. We experienced the fragrant Ramadan atmosphere yesterday and today, and we are always ready to pass it on to tomorrow's generations."

Büyük Aslan stated, "Turkey is one of the countries that provides humanitarian aid the most in the world, as volunteer organizations and civil society organizations rush to help the afflicted and needy without discrimination based on their religious, linguistic, or ethnic backgrounds."

He added, "In the past, through endowment institutions, our ancestors sent humanitarian aid to Ireland, which was suffering under the burden of a stifling British siege, and today we continue to support all the oppressed through civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations."

Aid to Gaza

Regarding the Israeli war on Gaza, Aslan stated that seeking to stop the “massacre” to which the people of Gaza are subjected “is not only a humanitarian duty for Muslims, but for the entire world.”

He pointed out that Turkish university students are working to collect donations for those affected in Gaza, in order to provide material and moral support to the residents of the stricken Strip.

He concluded by saying, "Students in a number of universities organize charitable markets and collect donations. They are making a great effort, and this indicates their humanitarian sense and great awareness."

The Israeli army has been waging a devastating war on Gaza since October 7, leaving tens of thousands of civilian casualties, most of them children and women, in addition to massive destruction, according to Palestinian and UN data, which led to Israel appearing for the first time before the International Court of Justice on charges of committing “genocide.” "Collective."

Source: Anadolu Agency