Brothers and Sisters,
Tomorrow Tuesday 31st January,2006 will be the Islamic New Year,i.e. 1st Muharram 1427 A.H.Muslims do ascribe a great significance to the start of the New Year,ra'sus-sanah.It is a reminder of the start of the Migration of the Prophet,blessing and peace be upon him,from Makka to Madina,in search of a decent and secure place to propagate the new faith.In fact the beginning of the New Year does not exactly correspond to the time the Prophet migrated from Makka to Medina.He migrated 67 or 68 days after the beginning of the year.The year began in Muharram;the Prophet migrated Rabi'ul-Awwal.Now the question of when to start the Higri dating arose during the time of 'Umar.Before that,they used to date events according to the number of months they happened to br away from the migration of the Prophet.'Umar was presented with a series of suggestions by the Companions,may Allah be pleased with them,as to when they should begin the Islamic Calenda.Wasit to begin with the birth of the Prophet?Was it to begin from the date that he died?Was it to start from the time when he was called by Allah?
'Ali,may Allah ennoble his countenace,intervened and said that it should begin from the Migration,and this was the position adopted.The Migration was a decisive turning point in the life of Islam,and it was only fitting that it should serve as the starting point.The importance of therHijrah was not lost on the minds of the Companions,and as such,when we consider the beginning of the Hijri year we remember the great sacrifice involved when the Prophet was forced to leave his home town for the safety of Medina where he could preach freely.The next question to arise was whether the calendar should start in the month of Ramadan,or Dhul'LHijjah,or when? The Companions agreed it should start in the month of Muharram.
I hope you find the following articles useful:-

1.What is the proper way of celebrating the Islamic New Year? Thanks a lot for your efforts.
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. 

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger. 

In an attempt to give you a detailed answer to your question, we would like to cite for you the following fatwa issued by Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi, former President of the Islamic Society of North America, in which he states the following: 


  In Islam there is no special religious ceremony to mark the New Year. However, since our religious calendar is the Hijri calendar, it is good to remind ourselves about the meaning and significance of Hijrah at this time. We should talk about Prophet's Hijrah from Makkah to Madinah that took place in the year 622 CE. We should talk about its meaning and significance and we should also talk about the general concept of Hijrah in Islam. 

  The Arabic word Hijrah is often translated as "exile, exodus, flight or migration". Its meaning is, however, much more dynamic and active. It means "to leave, to move, to shun and to quit". It is especially used for an intentional transfer of residence, but in the Qur'an it is also used to mean leaving a wrong condition and moving to a better condition, even though it may involve some difficulty. In this context, Allah says: (But Lut had faith in him (Abraham): he said: 'I shall move (Muhajirun) towards my Lord: for He is Exalted in Might, and Wise.) (Al-`Anakabut 29: 26) 

  Faith (Iman) requires acceptance of Allah and the negation of falsehood. It means a total and radical departure to a new way for the individual and for the community. 

  Faith is: 

  - A departure from all kinds of polytheism (belief in many gods) to monotheism 
  - A departure from ignorance and superstition to knowledge and light 
  - A departure from enslavement to others to the service of Allah 
  - A departure from sin and corruption to virtues and righteousness 
  - A departure from division and strife to harmony and unity 
  - A departure from the state of wandering and bewilderment to guidance and straight path 
  - A departure from Allah's anger to His acceptance and pleasure 
  - A departure from the Hellfire to Salvation in the Eternal Life. 

  Hijrah is a principle that is integral to Islam. It transforms a Mu'min from a mere believer to a Mujahid, the one who struggles for his faith. It is for this reason that the Qur'an has used in many places the words iman, Hijrah and Jihad together: (Those who believed and those who migrated and struggled in the path of Allah, they have the hope of the Mercy of Allah: and Allah is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.) (Al-Baqarah 2: 218) 

  (Those who believe, and migrate, and struggle in the cause of Allah, as well as those who give (them) asylum and aid, these are (all) truly the Believers: for them is the forgiveness of sins and a provision most generous.) (Al-Anfal 8 : 74) 

  (Those who believe, and migrate and strive in Allah's cause, with their goods and their persons, have the highest rank in the sight of Allah: they are indeed the successful people. Their Lord does give them glad tidings of a Mercy from Himself, of His good pleasure, and of Gardens for them, wherein are delights that endure: They will dwell therein forever. Verily in Allah's presence is a reward, the greatest (of all).) (At-Tawbah 9: 20-22) 

  Muslims chose Hijrah as the focal point to reckon their chronology. In physical terms Hijrah was a journey between two cities about 300 miles apart, but in its grand significance it marked the beginning of an era, a civilization, a culture and a history for the whole mankind. Islam progressed not only from the physical Hijrah, but because Muslims took Hijrah seriously in all its aspects and dimensions. 

  Those who truly followed the path of Hijrah they were: 

  1.The people of Muw'akhat: They became brothers and sisters to each other. (The vanguard (of Islam), the first of those who forsook (their homes) and of those who gave them aid, and (also) those who follow them in (all) good deeds, well-pleased is Allah with them, as are they with Him: for them He has prepared Gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein forever: that is the supreme Felicity) (At-Tawbah: 100). 

  2. The people who were willing to endure hardship for the cause of truth: (Allah turned with favor to the Prophet, the Muhajirun (Muslims who migrated with the Prophet from Makkah), and the Ansar (residents of Madinah who helped the Prophet and his Companions), who followed Him in a time of distress, after that the hearts of a part of them had nearly swerved (from duty); but He turned to them (also): for He is unto them Most Kind, Most Merciful.) (At-Tawbah 9: 117) 

  3. Those who struggled to establish Islam: They established Masajid, Islamic schools and other institutions. They defended their faith and they worked hard to establish Islam in all aspects of their lives and everywhere they went. 

  We should use this occasion to remind ourselves about the Hijrah; this is what is required from all of us now and at all times.

  2.I would like to know why Madinah was chosen to be the place of Hijrah. Why not any other place?
  In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. 


  All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger. 



  As regards the question you posed, we would like to cite for you the following words of Sayed Abul A`la Al-Maududi, who explains some reasons for which Madinah was chosen to be the centre of Da`wah at its very early days: 

    Makkah elders devised a plot to assassinate the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in order to nip the Islamic movement in the bud. When affairs reached that pitiful state, Almighty Allah ordered His Messenger to leave Makkah and migrate to Madinah. 


    Madinah, a city some 450 kilometers from Makkah, was growing as a centre for Islam. A number of people had already been converted to the new faith. Islamic teachings were winning new supporters every day. Leaders of the two major tribes of Madinah had accepted Islam and were ready to sacrifice their lives and property for the cause of Islam. At this point, the Prophet started planning to move to Madinah.

  Excerpted, with slight modifications, from: 
  http://www.islam101.com/dawah/islamhp.htm 



  In order to have a clear view of other reasons for choosing Madinah to be the centre of the nascent Muslim state, we would like to cite the following for you: 



    Yathrib had been chosen by Allah to shelter the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) after his migration and to bring forth not only the first Islamic Society but also to serve as a focal point for the universal call of Islam. The great honor accorded to the city makes it necessary to know its distinctive features. Such as its physical, social and cultural conditions, the Arab tribes living there and their mutual relations, the economic and political manipulations of the Jews and their fighting spirit as well as the way of life sustained by its fertile land. Various religions, cultures and communities flourished in the city tremendously, contrary to Makkah, which was dominated by one faith and one cultural pattern. The following details given here depict the state of affairs in Madinah when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) made his debut in that city. 


    Jews 



    Three Jewish tribes, Banu Qaynuqa`, Banu an-Nadir and Banu Quraydha, were settled in Madinah. The number of adults belonging to these tribes was over two thousands; Banu Qaynuqa` was estimated to have seven hundred combatants, with Banu an-Nadir having almost the same number too, while the grown-ups of Banu Quraydha were reported to be between seven and nine hundred. 



    These tribes were not in good terms and very often they are caught in confrontations with one another. The Qur'an makes a reference to the mutual discord between the Jews: (And when We made with you a covenant (saying): Shed not the blood of your people nor turn (party of) your people out of your dwellings. Then ye ratified (Our covenant) and ye were witnesses (thereto). Yet it is you who slay each other and drive out party of your people from their homes, supporting one another against them by sin and transgression - and if they come to you as captives ye would ransom them, whereas their expulsion was itself unlawful for you.) (Al-Baqarah 2: 84-85) 



    The financial relationship of the Madinan Jews with the other tribes was mainly limited to lending money on interest or on security or sequestration of personal property upon payment failure. In an agricultural region like Madinah, there was ample scope for money-lending business since the farmers very often needed capital for purposes of cultivation. (Dr. Muhammad Sayyid Tantawi, Banu Israel Fil-Qur'an was-Sunnah, pp. 80-81) 


    The system of lending money was not limited merely to pledging personal property as security for repayment of the loan, for the lenders very often forced the borrowers to pledge even their women and children. 



    Concentration of capital in the hands of the Jews had given them power to exercise economic pressure on the social economy of the city. The stock markets were at their mercy. They rigged the market through hoarding, thereby creating artificial shortages and causing rise and fall in prices. Most of the people in Madinah detested the Jews owing to such malpractices of usury and profiteering, which were against the substance of the common Arabs. (Banu Israel Fil-Qur'an was-Sunnah, p. 79) 



    The Jews being driven by nothing but their haughty cupidity and selfishness in their social transactions with the Arab tribes, Aus and Khazraj, spent lavishly, though judiciously, in creating a rift between the two tribes. On a number of occasions in the past, they had successfully pitted one tribe against the other, leaving both tribes worn out and economically ruined in the end. The only objective Jews had set before themselves was how to maintain their economic dominion over Madinah. 



    For many centuries, the Jews had been waiting for a redeemer. This belief of the Jews in the coming prophet, about which they used to talk with the Arabs, had prepared the Aus and the Khazraj to give their faith readily to the Prophet. (Banu Israel Fil-Qur'an was-Sunnah, pp. 73-101)

  Source: http://www.prophetmuhammed.org/docs/biograf_d39.html 



  Within all these communal differences, it was necessary to place this growing Muslim community so as to give Muslims a good chance for better interaction and sufficient training that will help them in their coming days. Madinah had many unique features that made her the due recipient of that honor. It was very important for Muslims to receive training and establish their state amongst all these communities and different levels of thinking. 



  Dealing with Jews taught Muslims how to argue with the People of the Book in good words and how to know the wicked and cunning conspiracies being made for them behind their backs. It was very important for the growing Muslim communities to be trained on the way of fighting those enemies who take refuge in their fortifications, a thing, which was practiced by Jews. 



  It was also necessary for the Islamic Da`wah, at this very early age, to face hypocrites who apparently declare that they believe in Islam but, in the meantime, help its enemies. All these are no more than some aspects of the Divine wisdom behind choosing Madinah to be the place where the first Muslim state is established. 



3.Why don't Muslims pay much heed to celebrating the   occasion of Hijrah as the Christians celebrate Christmas? 

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. 

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger. 
There is nothing wrong as far as the Islamic Shari`ah is concerned to celebrate Islamic occasions as long as they do not include anything haram such as unlawful mixing between males and females. Such celebration is a kind of remembrance of Allah's bounties on His servants, which is a praiseworthy behavior recommended by Allah Almighty. 

The eminent Muslim scholar, Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, states: 
  Some Muslims maintain that celebrating any Islamic occasion is forbidden; they consider celebrating occasions such as the Prophet's Hijrah to Madinah, Al-Isra' wal-Mi`raj (the Prophet's Night Journey and Ascension), the Prophet's birthday, the Battle of Badr, the Conquest of Makkah, and other Islamic occasions recorded in the Prophet's biography to be bid`ah (innovation), which is a sign of going astray and, thus, a way to hellfire. But it is not absolutely so. There are certain restrictions that render such celebrations haram (forbidden); this is, if they include any haram activities or any practice that goes against the teachings of Shari`ah, such as what happens in some countries where people undertake odd practices in celebrating birthdays of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), awliya' (closest worshipers to Allah), and other righteous people. 

  However, there is nothing wrong in making use of such an occasion as the Prophet's birthday to remember and remind people of the great personality of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), his honorable biography, and his true message that has been revealed to him by Allah Almighty as a mercy for the worlds. How can this be considered a bid`ah? 

  Celebrating Islamic occasions is a way to remind people of the great bounties Allah has showered on them, and this is not only permissible, but also recommendable and praiseworthy. Allah Almighty has commanded His servants to remember such occasions, as He says, (O ye who believe, Remember Allah's favor unto you when there came against you hosts, and We sent against them a great wind and hosts ye could not see. And Allah is ever Seer of what ye do. When they came upon you from above you and from below you, and when eyes grew wild and hearts reached to the throats, and ye were imagining vain thoughts concerning Allah.) (Al-Ahzab 33: 9-10) 

  This Qur'anic verse reminds Muslims of the Battle of Al-Ahzab, when the Quraysh, the Ghatafan, and their allies attacked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his followers, and besieged Madinah in an attempt to get rid of the Muslims altogether. Then Allah Almighty supported the Muslims and rescued them from the anti-Islam schemes. Allah Almighty sent great winds and soldiers from among the angels to fight against the disbelievers. It is an order from Allah Almighty to Muslims not to forget that. Therefore, there is a divine order for Muslims to remember such occasions that record Allah's great favors on them. 

  Allah Almighty, in another verse, says, (O ye who believe! Remember Allah's favor unto you, how a people were minded to stretch out their hands against you but He withheld their hands from you; and keep your duty to Allah. In Allah let believers put their trust) (Al-Ma'idah 5: 11). Here Allah reminds the Muslims of the wicked scheme against the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), when the Jewish Tribe Banu Qaynuqa` tried all possible procedures to assassinate the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). They plotted, but Allah countered their plots and saved the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon them). Allah Almighty says, (. they plot, but Allah (also) plotteth; and Allah is the best of plotters.) (Al-Anfal 8: 30) 

  Therefore, we can see that talking about Allah's favors and celebrating them is a praiseworthy act, so as to remember Allah's Grace and remind Muslims of the Islamic occasions, that they can learn moral lessons from and make use of them. There is really nothing wrong in that, as it has no sign of innovation or heresy in religion.

  Special Thanks to Sheikh Yusuf Qaradawi&Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface
at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html

To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l
To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to:
[log in to unmask]
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤