Muharram: The Islamic New Year The month of Muharram marks the beginning of the Islamic liturgical year. The Islamic year begins on the first day of Muharram, and is counted from the year of the Hijra, the year in which Muhammad emigrated from Mecca to Madina (A.D. July 16, 622). The Islamic new year is celebrated relatively quietly, with prayers and readings and reflection upon the hijra/ migration from Mecca to Madina. How the Islamic Calendar Came About The first Islamic year began in 622 AD and is dated from the time of Hijrah (migration) of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) from Makkah to Medina. The Prophet Muhammad was warmly welcomed by the people of Medina where a Muslim community soon emerged. Traditionally Muslims do not hold a celebration for the Islamic New Year. Instead, this is a time to consider the sacrifices and contributions of those who dedicated their lives in the service of the Creator. The Day of Ashura Many significant events fall in the month of Muharram. These include the 10th day, known as Ashura. According to Islamic traditions, it is the day when Prophet Musa (Moses) and the Children of Israel were saved by the miracle of the parting of the sea while Pharoah and his army perished. Many Muslims observe fast on the Day of Ashura and the day preceding it, in remembrance and gratefulness to God. The day is also particularly notable for the tragic massacre at Karbala, in Iraq in 61 A.H. of Imam Hussain, may God be pleased with him, his family and supporters. They sacrificed their lives in order to uphold the Prophet’s message of justice and standing up to tyranny. In Muslim tradition, the day of Ashura is also when Allah saved Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) [May God be pleased with him] from the fire in which he had been placed by those who rejected his message of monotheism. Both the event and concept of Hijrah (migration) and the many significant events commemorated in the month of Muharram provide the vision, inspiration and opportunity for solemn reflection and renewal of spirits for the Muslim community. Our Duah for Muharram: May Allah grant us all the guidance to reflect, repent, resolve. Oh Allah! Help us to recognise the need for change, Give us the strength to ask for forgiveness and hold our hand as we undertake to redirect our deeds and our ways for Your sake, Ameen! Oh our Almighty Allah! Forgive us and place forgiveness in our hearts and the hearts of those whose forgiveness we seek. Have mercy on us and place mercy in our hearts and the hearts of those who oppress us. Do not judge us too harshly as we stumble and fall in our search for Your divine presence. Give us the strength to get up and to grow from our slips, but help us to not go astray, Yaa Allah! Oh Allah, accept our striving and our searching through the Grace of Your Most Beautiful Names, May the New Bring us only that what is good Ameen Yaa Rabbaal Aalameen!
Posted on: Wed, 29 Oct 2014 08:58:30 +0000
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