Observing the New Islamic Calendar: 1427

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bi_akkor@yahoo.com

With the end of every annual Hajj in the 12th month of the Islamic calendar and Eid-el-Adha festival, successively, Muslims all over the world would be devotedly poised to receive the new Islamic year. By the leave of our Creator, this New Year will be 1427 A.H. as it is known. The reckoning of this lunar calendar began in the year 622 A.D. when the holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammad, peace be upon him, was ordered by Allah, the most high, to migrate from Mecca, his birth place to Yathrib, a city to the north which later came to be known in Arabic as “Madinat-al-nabi”, “the city of the Prophet” or “Al-madinah-al- Munawwara” “the illuminating city” or simply “Al-madinah” also meaning “the city”. Hitherto, this is not to totally assume that there was no Islamic calendar, for the reason that in chapter 9, verse 36 of the Holy Qur’an Allah has decreed “Behold, the number of months in the sight of Allah is twelve months, laid down in Allah’s decree on the day when He created the heavens and the earth…” Thus, the Islamic months are as follows, Muharram, Safar, Rabi-ul-Awwal, Rabi-ul-Thani, Jumada Awwal, Jumada Thani, Rajab, Sha-aban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhul- Qa’dah, and Dhul- Hajji. These names can be pulled out from various Hadith. For instance, in one of the Hadith related in Sahih Al-Bukhari in which the messenger of Allah (pbuh) said “Time has come back to its original state which it had when Allah created the Heavens and the Earth, the year is of twelve months, out of which four months are sacred: three are in succession Dhul- Qadah, Dhul- Hajji, and Muharram, and the fourth is Rajab, which comes between Jumada- Thani and Sha-aban.” Even though, the idea of using the “Holy Migration Period”, that came to be known “After Hijra” as the starting point of the Islamic lunar calendar was not divine in instruction, because it was even adopted after the time of the beloved prophet. Sources indicate that, it was in 638 A.D. when Umar (ra), the 2nd Caliph, reflected on its need and convened meeting to consider the matter of “calendar reform” in which Ali (ra), who later became the 4th Caliph, argued that the migration age (Hijra) be considered as a point of reference. Thereafter Umar (ra) agreed and issued the enforcement of the Hijra Calendar to all his governors. This, without any discrepancy saw to the beginning of the count up of the Islamic calendar in history. To this day, all activities, rites and events of the Muslim community wherever they are located in the pace of the globe, comes under this calendar, be it payment of Zakat, fasting during the month of Ramadan, performing pilgrimage and the Eid celebrations. precisely, Muslims have only two holidays in the Islamic calendar, that is, Eid-el- Fitr festival, which is marked at the end of Ramadan or the first day of the month of Shawwal and Eid-el-Adha festival, which is also marked at the end of the Hajj rites or the tenth day of the month of Dhul Hajj. The former is the festival of breaking fast, while the later is that of sacrifice.

The Islamic month is lunar, which is marked by the appearance of the new crescent moon that takes up to twenty nine or thirty days. Annually, the Islamic lunar calendar circle is about eleven days shorter than the Roman or Gregorian solar calendar. Scientific studies have shown that, the number of days required for the moon to orbit the earth never exceeds thirty days. So, in comparison, lunar months are accurate and natural, that is from divine laws and is in plain sight than the months of the solar year, that were predetermined and fixed by mortals. This is because the lunar, as its name implies, entails counting the days in a visible month (moon), while the solar is assigning days to an unknown month. Even the ancient people and the Chinese means of measuring the time are similar to the Islamic lunar than that of the solar, because they also calculate the days between two full moons to give them a month. It is also observable, that the Islamic lunar months rotate through the seasons of the solar year, which quite favorably brings in flexible variations of the seasonal circumstance in which the religious obligations are carried out. For instance, constantly in the north-eastern and the north-western parts of Nigeria, the months of March, April and May are environmentally hot and dehydrating with longer days and shorter nights thereby making it to be harsh for people. If the month of fasting (Ramadan) is to unchangeably come in one of these months, like Christmas which always occurs in winter ,then those in that areas will have to constantly do it under a severe condition. But Allah the Master of all climates, in His Mercy and Wisdom knows best how to deal justly with His creatures. Therefore, sometimes we fast in favorable weather conditions and sometimes in not so favorable conditions.

At this point, it is pertinent and worthy to note the distinguishing virtues of the companions of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh); hence, they were the best of all companions. Allah, the most high, has indeed safeguarded his religion even after the unmatched departure of his beloved messenger, clearly because, the closest and rightly guided companions of this great messenger, were careful and watchful enough to stir all matters in congruence with the prophetic traditions and establishment of the first Islamic society which served as a replica to all rational and god fearing societies. However, that was not simply done; rather it was conducted under greatest odds but with reassuring outcome. The establishment of such a sound Islamic order has helped in no small measure in placing the disbelievers and their old order to shame and helplessness. It is also of paramount importance to remind all Muslims to imbibe the culture of observing this heavenly calendar without any sort of disregard. It is not only embarrassing, but disturbing to find out that most people put out of their minds the issue of counting up of the Islamic calendar except in Ramadan or Dhul-Hajji. As Muslims we must develop the character of Islam in which in our daily endeavors are conducted within the established framework. We should learn to record our birthdays, fix our wedding days and other personal engagements using the lunar calendar. Surely, this is another possible way that will fasten us to our religion. With all humility, sincere devotion and for the sake of the pleasure of Allah, we welcome the year 1427 After Hijra, May Allah continue to guide us all to the right way. Ahmad Usman Kollere Maiduguri, 26th Dhul Hajj 1426