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A
Glance into the Hijri calendar and New Year
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Through the chapter ‘the
Elephant’( Sûrat Al- Fîl),
the holy Qur’an has opened a door
into the historical event of Abrahath’s
movement with elephant army to collapse
the holy Ka’baa. Sending the birds
in flocks, Allah ruined them entirely.
Concerning the people of holy Makkah,
it was a historical event and they started
to count down their years in accordance
with the Year of Elephant. (The Year
of the Elephant (in Arabic, `Âm
al-Fîl) is the name in Islamic
history for the year approximately equating
to 570 AD. According to Islamic tradition,
it was in this year that Muhammad (Peace
and Blessing of Allah be upon him) was
born. The name is derived from an event
said to have occurred at holy Makkah
in which Abraha, the ruler of the principality
of Saba' in Yemen marched upon the Kaaba
with a large army, which included elephants,
intending to demolish it. The year came
to be known as the Year of the Elephant,
beginning a trend for reckoning the years
in Arabia which was used until it was
replaced with the Islamic calendar during
the rule of Umar (May Allah please with
him).
But, it is not a rare method that counting the year according to a great event,
but it is a usual process prevailing in the world. |
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After the demise of
the messenger (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him)
and caliph Abûbacker (May Allah please with him),
the caliphate of Umer (May Allah please with him) came
to existence in Arabia, then, the roots of Islam spread
out of Arabia and many non-Arab countries came under
the wings of Islamic rule. Mean while, an opinion about
the necessity of a public calendar raised among the Muslims.
Different remarks, on which event should be considered
for starting the year, flew into the holy Madina, such
as the birthday of the messenger, the demise of him and
his prophethood so on. Eventually, they unanimously accepted
the decision of considering Hijra (the pilgrimage of
prophet (PBH) from holy Makkah to holy Madina) as an
event to begin the calendar of Muslim world. But next
problem of here was on which month should be begun with.
Here also, different opinions were appeared such as Ramadhan,
Dhul-hijjah so on. After the prolonged discussion, Muharram,
the month on which the war was forbidden and the returning
time of pilgrims from Hajj, was considered as the first
month of Hijri calendar. But, the hijra took place on
12th day of Rabeeul Avval(the third month of Hijri) two
months after Muharram which was selected as the first
month for hijri calendar. It was this variation that
appeared before Umer (May Allah please with him) as a
next problem. But scholars unanimously decided to never
mind this contradiction (Hashiyathu Nahvil wafi 4/564).
The scholars have opinioned that Allah’s taking
oath with the word ‘Valfajri’ (in the Sûrat
Al- Fajr-The Break of Day of the Dawn-, Chapter 89) is
an implication to the first day’s dawn of Muharram
(Thafsir Kalan 498). Besides, Imam Qathada (May Allah
Please with him) has stated the down referred in the
word ‘Valfajri’ is the very down of Muharram’s
first day (Ghaliath 2/85). It can be seen in Hashiythul
Iqnaa’ as Imam Ibnu Hajarul Asqalani (May Allah
Mercy upon him) opinioned in fathhul Bari 14/339 that
the oaths, Allah used in Qur’an, must be prominent
ones. Hence, the dawn of Muharam’s first day that
Allah highlighted in the word ‘Valfajri’ must
be more prominent to Muslim community.
Verily, the majority of scholars have reminded us
to welcome the New Year with a sincere repentance that
may erase all our former sins.
Wallowing in negligence and ugliness, you have lost
the lion share of your life time. You even failed to
understand what should be done or what should be prevented.
Can you ever be ready to welcome the New Year with the
pure repentance showering tears on your stain full former
life. If so, your all sins can be forgiven by the Most
High (Ghalaith 2/86).
It is allowed by Islam to dedicate New Year wishes
to our dear one. It may strengthen our mutual pleasures
and affections. Islam shows us how to wish the wishes
of New Year such as ‘Thaqabbala llahu minna vaminkum’ (Allah
may receive every thing from you and us). To give shake
hands is also desirable but only between those people
it is permissible to see and touch between them. The
followings are some wishing methods to dedicate in the
new year, ‘Thaqabbalallahu minkum’, ‘Ahyakumullahu
lil Amalissalih’, ‘Kulla aam va anthum be
khair’ (Allah accept from you every things, Allah
may alive you for ever for doing these sorts of good
deeds) (Sharvani 7/56).
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