Most Muslim Arain live in Pakistan. A smaller group resides in northwest India near the border with Pakistan. The main languages of the Arain are Urdu and Eastern Punjabi. Educated Arain also speak English. Many resources are available in the Urdu language including a compete Bible, radio programs and the JESUS Film. There are currently no known believers in this people.
The Muslim Arain community of India tend to be educated and prosperous. They cultivate land they and engage in agriculture-based business. Most have sufficient farming skills and cultivate sugar cane, wheat, rice, mangoes, and mustard. Dairy production is an important part of their living as well. As Muslims the Arain will not eat pork. Most Arain have one spouse although an Arain man may have up to four wives if he can afford them. Families arrange marriages with the consent of the young people. Arain marry within their own group. Sons inherit the property of their diseased father with the eldest son taking charge of the family. A caste association settles legal disputes and enforces social norms.
The Arain are a Muslim people with a broad knowledge of Islam. They are mainly related to the Barelvi movement of Sunni Islam that originated in the Indian subcontinent. They worship Allah as the great and merciful God, and Mohammad as the greatest and final prophet. The basis of their worship and prayer is in the five pillars of Islam. The Arain consider Islam as an essential part of their culture.
The community is relatively wealthy and successful in Indian society. There is a need for further educational opportunities, especially for the women and girls. Most of all the Arain need to see that Jesus or Isa is more than a human prophet. He is the Son of God and the Savior of the world. He alone can forgive their sins and grant them eternal life.
Pray for a spiritual dissatisfaction with Islam and a willingness to investigate the claims of Jesus Christ. Pray for a disciple making movement that will bless the Arain people this decade. Pray for the Lord to send out workers to the Arain people to tell them the good news about Isa.
Scripture Prayers for the Arain (Muslim traditions) in India.
| Profile Source: Keith Carey |
