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IMPORTANT DAYS IN ISLAM
Islamic
New Year (Al Hijri)
Islamic New Year. Marks the
migration of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and
his followers from Mecca to Medina.
The Islamic New Year is a cultural
event which Muslims observe on the first day
of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic
calendar. Many Muslims use the day to remember
the significance of this month, and the Hijra,
or migration, Islamic prophet Muhammad made
to the city now known as Medina. Recently, in
many areas of Muslim population, people have
begun exchanging cards and gifts on this day,
though this is not commonly done.
Since the Islamic lunar calendar year is 11
to 12 days shorter than the solar year, Muharram
migrates throughout the seasons. The estimated
start dates for Muharram are as follows (all
future dates are estimates and depend on sightings
of the new moon), though strictly speaking the
month starts at sunset on previous day
Ashura
(10th Muharram)
An Islamic optional single
day fast recognising the Creation, Noah's departure
from the ark, and the saving of Moses from Pharaoh.
The Day of Ashura is on the 10th day of Muharram
in the Islamic calendar and marks the climax
of the Festival of Muharram but not the Islamic
month. For Shi'a Muslims, it commemorates the
martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of
Muhammad at the Battle of Karbala in the year
61 AH (AD 680), and is a day for mourning.
Ashurah is also commemorated by Muslims as
the traditional date on which Noah's ark came
to rest, the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) was born
and the Ka'ba was built in Mecca. Ashurah corresponds
to the Jewish Yom Kippur, which was held by
the Jews of Medina. It was adopted by Muslims
as a recommended fast in respect to the tribulations
of Musa (Moses).
The word ashurah means simply tenth in Arabic;
hence the festival's name, literally translated,
means "the tenth day".
Mawlid
an Nabi
Islamic commemoration of the birthday of
Prophet Muhammad, founder of Islam, in about
570 c.e. Not universally observed. The prophet's
teachings are read and religious meetings are
held.
The celebration of the birthday of Muhammad,
the final prophet of Islam; also known as "the
seal of the prophets". Sunni Muslims celebrate
this day on the 12th of Rabi'-ul-Awwal in the
Islamic calendar; whereas Shi'a Muslims celebrate
this day on the 17th of Rabi'-ul-Awwal, coinciding
with the birth date of the sixth Imam, Ja'far
al-Sadiq. Muhammad was born around 570 CE and
died in 632 CE. During his life, he established
Islam as a religion and, in doing so, sought
to replace tribal loyalty with equality among
Muslims.
It has been suggested that Muhammad practised
the Mawlid an-Nabi himself because he would
fast every Monday, the day on which he was born.
However, he also used to fast on Thursdays;
and, in fact, he would fast on many days throughout
the year. Fasting is a major act of piety in
Islam; and whoever fasts is highly rewarded
by Allah.
It is generally believed that the celebration
of Mawlid an-Nabi was first observed around
13th century CE. Some conservative sects today
consider the celebration to be idolatrous, but
the vast majority of Muslims celebrate the Mawlid
with great dedication. Processions are held,
homes are decorated, delicious food is prepared
and distributed, stories about the life of Muhammad
are narrated by learned people of Islam and
poems are recited by children. Madih nabawi
may also be performed.
Israa
/ Me'raj (Night Journey to Heavens)
Islamic observance of Mohammed's
(PBUH) night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem
and his ascension to heaven.
Lailat al Miraj, also known as Shab-e-Miraj,
is the Muslim festival celebrating the Isra
and Mi'raj of the Prophet Muhammad, when it
is believed he went from Mecca to Al-Haram As-Sharif
(Also known as the Temple Mount) and was then
raised to Jannah (Heaven), met with the Prophets
and eventually with Allah (God). It is celebrated
on the 27th day of the month Rajab in the Islamic
calendar. From this journey, Muslims believe,
the command for five daily prayers (Salat) was
given.
Celebrations
The celebrations around this day tend to focus
on Children and the young. Children are gathered
into the Mosque and are told the story of the
Isra and Mi'raj. The story usually focuses on
how his heart was purified by two archangels
and filled him with knowledge and faith. After
Salat (Where the children can pray with the
adults if they wish) food and treats are served.
Lailatul-Bara'at
(Night of Salvation)
Islamic Night of Forgiveness.
A night of prayer to Allah for forgiveness of
the dead. Preparation for Ramadan through intense
prayer.
The Night of Forgiveness (Lailat-ul-Bara'h)
takes place two weeks before Ramadan. Muslims
spend the night in prayer seeking God's guidance
and forgiveness for their sins. It is an opportunity
to put the past behind them and forgive each
other.
Many Muslims believe that a person's destiny
is fixed for the coming year by God on this
night.
Ramadan
- Click Here for Calendar
9th month on Islamic calendar,
devoted to the commemoration of Muhammad's (PBUH)
reception of the divine revelation recorded
in the Qur'an. The event begins when sightings
of the new moon of the 9th month. It is the
holiest period of the Islamic Year. There is
strict fasting from sunrise to sunset.
Ramadan is the ninth month of
the Islamic calendar, during which all adult
Muslims are expected to observe fast from dawn
to dusk and keep away from all bad actions.
Believers take no food, drink or tobacco from
sunrise to sunset, and abstain from sexual relations.
Technically, the fast begins each day at dawn,
which for Muslims comes nearly two hours before
sunrise. Sunrise marks the end of the first
period of prayer. Dawn is reckoned as the time
when the sun's first light is seen on the horizon,
or, according to a Hadith, when a white cord
may be distinguished from a black cord.
Lailat
ul-Qadr (The night of power)
Islamic Night of Destiny. First
revelation of Qur'an to Prophet Mohammed. Observed
during the last ten days of Ramadan. Prayers
to Allah for a good destiny. The Night of Decrees.
Hidden night which occurs on any one of the
odd dates during the last ten days of Ramadan,
although many people wrongfully assume that
it always falls on the 27th night.
Muslims cite the 97th chapter
of the Qur'an as God's explanation of the night.
The chapter is entitled al-Qadr:
"In the name of Allah, the Beneficent,
the Merciful.
Certainly, We revealed it on the Night of Power,
And what will make you understand what the Night
of Power is?
The Night of Power is better than a thousand
months,
The angels and the Spirit descend in it by the
permission of their Lord for every affair,
Peace, it is, until the break of the dawn."
Muslims believe that it was on this night that
God first sent down the first verses of the
Qur'an via the Spirit of Revelation Gabriel,
to Muhammad when he was forty-years old.
The verses above regard the Night as better
than one thousand months. The whole month of
Ramadan is a period of spiritual training wherein
believers devote much of their time to fasting,
praying, recitating the Qur'an, remembering
God, and giving charity. However because of
the revealed importance of this night, Muslims
strive harder to worship God and to do good
deeds.
Muslims often pray extra prayers on this day,
particularly the night prayer. They wake, pray,
and believe Allah will give them anything they
request for on this night. Mostly, they perform
talwat (reading the Qur'an). Shi'a Muslims,
in particular, on this night perform many religious
acts, which they believe have been highly recommended
by Muhammad and the twelve imams.
Those who can afford to devote their time in
the remembrance of Allah stay in the mosque
for the final ten days of Ramadan. This worship
is called i'tikaf (retreat). They observe fast
during the day and occupy themselves with the
remembrance of God, performing voluntary prayers
and studying the Qur'an, day and night, apart
from the obligatory prayers which they perform
with the congregation. Food and other necessities
of life are provided for them during their stay
in the mosque, thus they my not leave the precincts
of the mosque except for a genuine religious
purpose. Devoting time to remember God, Muslims
hope to receive divine favors and blessings
connected with the blessed night.
Muhammad was very particular in these regards.
It is related that when the last ten days of
Ramadan began, he used to keep awake the whole
night and was most diligent in worship.
Eidu
Al-Fitr
A festival marking the close
of Ramadan. It is a festival of thanksgiving
to Allah for enjoying the month of Ramadan.
It involves wearing finest clothing, saying
prayers, and fostering understanding with other
religions.
With the appearance of the first
crescent moon, the fast of Ramadan (the ninth
month of the Islamic calendar) comes to an end.
It has similarities to New Year's festivals
in that often people buy new clothes, especially
for the children, who are dressed in finery.
In many cities, there are carnivals with rides
and games.
Eid
Al Adha
The festival remembers the
prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his
son when God ordered him to.
Eid ul-Adha occurs on the tenth
day of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijja. It is
one of two Eid festivals that Muslims celebrate.
Eid ul-Adha is celebrated by Muslims worldwide
as a commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim's willingness
to sacrifice his son(Ishmael) for (Allah)God.
Others celebrate Eid-ul Adha as it marks the
end of the Pilgrimage or Hajj for the millions
of Muslims who make the trip to Mecca each year.
Like Eid ul-Fitr, Eid ul-Adha also begins with
a short prayer followed by a khutba. In Mecca,
the Khutba is delivered from Mount Arafat.
The story behind Eid ul-Adha
Many Muslims believe that God(Allah) revealed
in a dream to Ibrahim (Prophet Abraham) to sacrifice
his son Isma’il. Ibrahim and Isma’il
set off to Mina for the sacrifice. As they went,
the devil attempted to persuade Ibrahim to disobey
Allah and not to sacrifice his beloved son.
But Ibrahim stayed true to Allah, and drove
the devil away. As Ibrahim prepared to sacrifice
his son, Allah stopped him and gave him a sheep
to sacrifice instead. The story is also a part
of the other Abrahamic religions (see the Binding
of Isaac). Others celebrate Eid-ul Adha as it
marks the end of the Pilgrimage or Hajj for
the millions of Muslims who make the trip to
Mecca each year.
Observing Eid ul-Adha
It is celebrated on the 10th day of the month
of Dhul Hijja of the lunar Islamic calendar,
after Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in
Saudi Arabia. This happens to be approximately
70 days after the end of the month of Ramadan.
While Eid ul-Fitr is considered to be three
days, Eid ul-Adha is supposed to be four days.
The first day is the primary holiday, on which
men, women, and children are expected to dress
in their finest clothing and perform prayer
(Salah) in a large congregation. Muslims who
can afford to do so sacrifice domestic animals,
usually sheep, as a symbol of Ibrahim's sacrifice;
this sacrifice is called "Qurban."
The meat is distributed amongst their neighbours,
relatives, and the poor and hungry. The regular
charitable practices of the Muslim community
are demonstrated during Eid ul-Adha by the concerted
effort to see that no impoverished Muslim is
left without sacrificial food during this day.
Coming immediately after the Day of Arafat (when
Muhammad pronounced the final seal on the religion
of Islam), Eid ul-Adha gives concrete realisation
to what the Muslim community ethic means in
practice.
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