New Year is one of the few holidays that is celebrated in various faiths. Islam is no exception. However, the Muslim New Year has many features that are associated with both the date of the event and the ways of celebrating it.
Hijra calendar
Hijra is a Muslim calendar that dates back to October 3, 1438. It differs from the Gregorian in that its calculus occurs according to the lunar calendar, whose annual cycle is 354 days, which is 11-12 days shorter than the Gregorian. This fact also affects the date of the celebration of the Muslim New Year, which falls on the first spring month.
"Hijra", translated from Arabic, means "relocation." So called Islamic calendar owes its involvement in the resettlement of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina, which he did in 622. From the day the prophet moves, the Muslim chronology begins.
New Year according to Hijra
Christian peoples have erroneous information about the name of the Muslim New Year. It is believed that its name is Navruz, and it is celebrated on March 21. However, according to the Hijra calendar, the New Year in Islam is the day the prophet moves to Medina.
The Hijra festival begins in the first calendar month of Muharram. But, since the calculation is according to the lunar calendar, and the date of the New Year comes every year for 11-12 days earlier than the previous one.
So, in 2017, the New Year is celebrated on September 22. But the number of Muslim New Years falls in 2018: September 11th. In 2019 - September 1.
Holiday traditions
Muslim New Year has its own unique traditions. So, preparation for it begins a month before the onset. It is accompanied by a thorough cleaning of your home, which is not limited to one day. Already closer to the date of Novruz, Muslims begin to engage in the germination of wheat or lentil sprouts . A few days before the celebrations in Islamic families is an active preparation of Christmas dishes and an invitation to visit relatives and friends.
On the eve of the holiday, it is also customary to honor the deceased relatives.
On New Year's Day, every Muslim man is obliged to come to the mosque to read prayers and to once again hear a sermon on the relocation of the Prophet Muhammad to Medina.
After the holiday, the fasting period begins. This is a mandatory tradition that is observed during the first New Year month according to the Islamic calendar. The post has strict restrictions, the implementation of which is mandatory. So, every Muslim will refuse food and water amusements, sex, bathing, smoking and the use of incense. Abstinence from these actions is mandatory until sunset. That is, every day, with the dawn, the Muslim people completely devote themselves and their thoughts to the service of Allah. And only when the sun sets over the horizon, people are allowed to indulge in a meal, but with the exception of most dishes.
On the eastern markets, in preparation for the holiday, you can find in the sale of a variety of different photos and postcards with the Muslim New Year.
In the first month of the new year for Muslims it is considered a good sign to celebrate weddings, venturing construction of houses, and in general this is a great time for all undertakings. In addition, at this time it is customary to help the needy, the poor and the homeless. This custom is typical for many Muslim holidays, New Year is no exception.
The traditions of Muslims during the celebration of the New Year include their behavior at the table. The beginning of the meal, as well as its end, is accompanied by prayers of thanks addressed to Allah. The owner of the house begins to eat first and only after him do other family members begin the festive meal.
Muslim traditional dishes in the New Year
A festive table among Muslims implies the presence of seven traditional dishes. Moreover, the menu should contain only those whose name begins with the letter "syn" of the Arabic alphabet. So, in every Muslim family, a table is decorated as follows.
- Sabzeh. This is the main symbol of the New Year's table, which is a sprout of sprouted wheat or lentils. On the 14th day after the holiday they are thrown into the river.
- Sib is an apple that represents a symbol of beauty and excellent health.
- Samanu. This is a Muslim pudding made from wheat germ. Samanu symbolizes the beginning of a new life.
- Senjed - the dried lotus fruit, the personification of love.
- Syr is a medicinal garlic.
- Somak is red berries. Their presence on the table represents the superiority of good over the forces of evil.
- Serkekh - Islamic vinegar, meaning wisdom and patience.
Muslim New Year culinary symbols are decorated with sprigs of mint. Of course, in addition to symbolic dishes, there is other food on the table.
What else decorates the New Year's table?
Mandatory is the presence of lamb dishes. On the eve of celebrations in Muslim families traditionally prepare kukus lamb or beef. In addition, the table is full of various oriental sweets, fruits, meat dishes and rice.
Of the drinks, only a few varieties of tea, coffee, and fruit juices are present. No alcohol.
What does the New Year mean for Muslims?
For the peoples of the East, the New Year is not a reason for mass celebrations. This is the time when every respectable Muslim analyzes his past year in terms of his actions.
How many good deeds did the past year take? How often was God worshiped, how many prayers were read? How well did everyone prepare themselves to meet with Allah in the kingdom of the dead? And what righteous things does he intend to accomplish this year? All these questions fill the thoughts of believers.
No wonder the first day of the New Year is crowned with the beginning of fasting - a time for refraining from evil thoughts, quarrels and committing sins, a time when not only the body, but also thoughts are cleansed.