Happy New Muslim Year, 1442AH
It’s the beginning of a new year in the Muslim world. This followed the announcement by the Sultanate Council of the sighting of the moon of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic lunar calendar. This is the 1442th year after the divinely guided migration of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him (PBUH), from Makkah […]
It’s the beginning of a new year in the Muslim world. This followed the announcement by the Sultanate Council of the sighting of the moon of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic lunar calendar. This is the 1442th year after the divinely guided migration of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him (PBUH), from Makkah to Madinah. This historic relocation which took place in 622 Christian Era (CE), is referred to as Hijrah.
The Islamic calendar, which is purely based on lunar cycles, was introduced in 638CE by Umar bn Al-Khattab, the second Caliph of Islam and a close companion of the Prophet (PBUH).
After due consultations between Caliph Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) and his advisers, it was agreed that the most appropriate starting point for the Islamic calendar was the year in which the Hijrah took place, 622CE. The Islamic calendar is usually abbreviated as ‘AH’, meaning ‘After Hijrah’. The Hijrah is the central historical event of early Islam which led to the foundation of the first Muslim city-state and a turning point in Islamic and world history.
The Hijrah year consists of 12 lunar months. Allah, the Almighty, says in the Qur’an 9:36 “Indeed, the number of months with Allah is 12 (lunar) months in the register of Allah (from) the day He created the heavens and the earth; of them, four are sacred.” Since the Hijrah calendar is purely lunar, as opposed to solar, the Muslim year is shorter than the Gregorian year by about 11 days every year. Important Muslim festivals, which always fall in the same Hijrah month, may occur in different seasons across many years. For example, Ramadan and Hajj can take place in the summer as well as the winter. It requires over a 33-year cycle for a lunar month to take a complete turn and fall during the same season.
The Hijrah calendar is used to determine the days for the observance of some Islamic rites. For instance, while Ramadan fast begins on the first day of the Month of Ramadan, pilgrimage (Hajj) rites are observed between the 8th and 13th day of the Islamic lunar month of Dhul Hijjah. The two major festivals in Islam, Eid el-Fitr and Eid el-Adha, are respectively observed on the first day of the month of Shawwal and 10th day of Dhul Hijjah. Allah, the Almighty, states in the Qur’an 2:189 “They ask you (O Muhammad) about the new moons. Say, ‘They are measurements of time for the people and for Hajj…”
In spite of all the challenges that have continued to bedevil us as a developing nation, it is important to appreciate Allah’s favours including keeping us together as a country with steady rainfall in most parts of the country. Aside giving gratitude to Allah for His mercies, Muslims are encouraged to also take advantage of this season to seek Allah’s intervention in all the trials that Nigeria is passing through. Substantial part of the past 12 lunar months has not been very prosperous for the country. From heightened criminal activities of bandits and kidnappers across many states in Nigeria’s North-west geo-political zone, the outbreak of COVID-19 to the resurgence of insurgency in the North-east, to a dwindling economy and flood disasters that claimed dozens of lives, the year 1441 AH has been rough and tough. As if it were a resolution collectively passed by Nigerians, corruption yet remains a scourge in the country.
The beginning of a new Hijrah year should also be a period for sober reflection. Religious leaders should preach to their followers to shun bigotry and hate speech. Given the deep rooted mutual mistrust among followers of different religions in the country, we call on Muslims to begin the new Hijrah year with a resolve to strengthen everything that promotes social cohesion and unites us as a country; ignoring things that seek to divide us. The new Hijrah year should be marked with special prayers for an end to general insecurity of lives and property and an exit out of the new normal life occasioned by COVID-19.
Happy New Hijrah Year!