Could we possibly wish each
other,” Happy New Year”
The new Muslim or Hijri year 1435 is just around the corner. In Hijrah calendar
the Lunar year is followed according to moon sighting. It consists on twelve
months but is 10 days shorter to solar or AD calendar every year. That is why
its seasons and days keep on moving. The Ad calendar or Christian calendar is
followed all over the world .Whole of the Muslim world, except Saudi Arabia
follows their schedules in Ad Calendar. Muslims follow their religious rituals
according to Lunar or Hijrah calendar. Saudi Arabia follows Hijri Calendar in
all its official and regular work. They have set up an Ummul Qura Lunar
calendar, based on a lot of research.
Most of the Muslims do not celebrate this New Year as they celebrate January
1st. A fall of gloom is felt in Muslim society, when Muharram comes closer. More
over a prominent sect gets prepared for mourning and lamentations all clad in
black mourning dresses.
The Significance of Hijrah in Islam
During the reign of Umar bin al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) the
companions RA agreed to start the Islamic calendar from the year when Messenger
of Allah saws made hijra (migration) to Medina and established the first Islamic
State. As we enter the blessed month of Muharram and the year 1435 .It is
critical for us the Muslims, to realize that this event not only marks the
beginning of our calendar, but more importantly it commemorates the
establishment of the nucleus of the first Islamic state.
The Month of Muharram
Muharram is the first month of the Hijri calendar and is one of the four sacred
months concerning which Allah says, "Verily, the number of months with Allah is
twelve months (in a year), so it was ordained by Allah on the Day when He
created the heavens and the earth; of them, four are sacred. That is the right
religion, so wrong not yourselves therein" (At-Tawbah 9: 36)
Muharram is called so because its meaning is a sacred (Muharram) month.
Although Muharram is a sanctified month as a whole, yet, the 10th day of
Muharram is the most sacred among all its days. The day is named 'Ashurah' The
Holy Prophet saws, when migrated to Madinah, found that the Jews of Madinah used
to fast on the 10th day of Muharram. They said that it was the day on which the
Holy Prophet Musa (Moses) and his followers crossed the Red Sea miraculously and
the Pharaoh was drowned in its waters. On hearing this from the Jews, the Holy
Prophet, saws said, "We are more closely related to Musa (AS), than you," and
directed the Muslims to fast on the day of 'Ashura'. (Abu Dawood)
In short, it is established through a number of authentic ahadith that fasting
on the day of 'Ashura' is Sunnah of the Holy Prophet, saws, and makes one
entitled to a great reward.
According to another Hadith, it is more advisable that the fast of 'Ashura'
should either be preceded or followed by another fast. It means that one should
fast two days: the 9th and 10th of Muharram or the 10th and 11th. The reason of
this additional fast as mentioned by the Holy Prophet, saws, is that the Jews
used to fast on the day of'Ashura alone, and the Holy Prophet, saws, wanted to
distinguish the Muslim way of fasting from that of Jews. Therefore, he advised
the Muslims to add another fast to that of 'Ashura'. This practice got started
before the advent of Ramadan Fasts.
Misconceptions and Baseless Traditions
However, there are some legends and misconceptions with regard to 'Ashura' that
have managed to find their way into the minds of the ignorant, but have no
support of authentic Islamic sources, some very common of them are these: This
is the day on which Adam, alayhi salam, was created. This is the day when
Ibrahim, alayhisalam, was born. This is the day when Allah accepted the
repentance of Adam, alayhi salam. This is the day when Qiyaamah (doomsday) will
take place. Whoever takes bath on the day of 'Ashura' will never get ill.
All these and other similar whims and fancies are totally baseless and the
traditions referred to in this respect are not worthy of any credit.
Some people take it as Sunnah to prepare a particular type of meal on the day of
'Ashura'. This practice, too, has no basis in the authentic Islamic sources.
Some other people attribute the sanctity of 'Ashura' to the martyrdom of Imam
Hussain, RA during his battle with the Syrian army of Yazid . No doubt, the
martyrdom ofHussain, Radi-Allahu anhu, is one of the most tragic episodes of
Islamic history. Yet, the sanctity of 'Ashura' cannot be ascribed to this event
for the simple reason that the sanctity of 'Ashura' was established during the
days of the Holy Prophet, saws, much earlier than the birth of Hussain RA.
On the contrary, it is one of the merits of Sayyidna HussainRA that his
martyrdom took place on the day of 'Ashura'.
Another misconception about the month of Muharram is that it is an evil or
unlucky month, for Hussain, RA the grandson of Holy Prophet SAWS was killed
mercilessly in it. It is for this misconception that people avoid holding
marriage ceremonies in the month of Muharram. This is again a baseless concept,
which is contrary to the express teachings of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah..
The Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet saws have liberated us from
such superstitious beliefs.
Lamentations and Mourning
Another wrong practice related to this month is to hold the lamentation and
mourning ceremonies in the memory of martyrdom of Sayyidna Hussain, RA. As
mentioned earlier, the event of Karbala is one of the most tragic events of our
history, but the Holy Prophet, saws, has forbidden us from holding the mourning
ceremonies on the death of any person. The people of jahiliyyah (ignorance) used
to mourn over their deceased through loud lamentations, by tearing their clothes
and by beating their cheeks and chests. The Holy Prophet, saws, stopped the
Muslims from doing all this and directed them to observe patience by saying "Innaa
lillaahiwa innaa ilayhi raaji'oon". A number of authentic Ahaadith are available
on the subject. To quote only one of them:
"He is not from our group who slaps his checks, tears his clothes and cries in
the manner of the people of jahiliyyah." (Sahih Bukhari)
All the authentic jurists are unanimous on the point that the mourning of this
type is impermissible.
Let us greet the New Hijri year with optimism and prayers for the success, unity
and prosperity of Ummah. Wish you all a very happy and blessed new Hijrah year!