Beginning of Islamic Calendar

 Beginning of Islamic Calendar

By Khursheed Alam Dawood Qasmi

Whenever, in the history of a community, any kind of delight happening takes place or a destructive occurrence or a tragedy occur, the community doesn’t forget it from its mind, but always tries to remember it in every circumstances. Something is attributed to the happening to remind it till the date, and sometimes the event is remembered by celebrating it a day of enjoyment or a day of grief, as the detail of the day and the date with the community remains always alive. Similarly the Muslim Ummah, starting the Islamic Year with Hijrah remembers the migration of the Prophet (SAWS), a key event that had a great effect in forming the Islamic empire. When we go through the annals of world history, we find several migrations but some of them are supposed to be crowned with success and fame and became the integral part of the history. Nobody can remove them from the books of history. Whereas there are several migrations do not find mention in the books. As far as the Prophet’s migration is concerned it is of the first kind. Almost all the people, Muslims and non-Muslims, living on the surface of the earth are aware of this migration. The history offers its pages to witness the historic event of Islam with pride and pleasure because the event was not meant for seeking peaceful territory and high living standard, but for saving and standing guard over Islam, for preaching the oneness of Allah and for the truth to prevail, after the commandment of Allah, while the other ones were for getting peaceful land, life of pleasure and enjoyment, and high living status, so went oblivion. At the age of the second caliph, H Umar Farooque (RA), one of the greatest companions of the Prophet (SAWS), discussed with his contemporaries from when they should start “ Islamic Year.’’ One suggested the Prophet’s good fortune day of the birth. Someone opined the day of the revelation of Wahee from Allah (SWT). Some came up with the opinion that the day of the holy Makkah-victory would be more appropriate. Similarly the voice of the conquest of the Badar and Hajj-ul-wida was expressed. After several opinions were offered the companions did not agree with one another to one point. And the occurrence of the migration was the view where all agreed, the journey of the Prophet (SAWS) from Holy Makkah to Madeenah. Hence the beginning of the Islamic year came into being after a long and mutual consultation. Being attributed to the Hijrah of the Prophet we name it Hijri Calendar. Visibly this event seems to be the sign of despair, hopelessness, weakness and unsuccessfulness. There are many events show the dignity, greatness and nobility of Islam, even though they chose the event of migration to begin Islamic year. It’s a question may arise in the minds of people at first sight. However when we look into the matter deeply, the fact becomes clear. It is a fact the roaring success and nobility of the Prophet (SAWS) and Islam was hidden under the cover of migration. While living in Makkah city, the prophet and his companions underwent mountains of troubles mentally and physically by the disbelievers there. They tried their best to defame the mission of the prophet, the invitation towards Allah, so as to finish Islam completely from the surface of the earth before its beginning. They planned to the extent to slay the Prophet (saw). But after the migration the whole campaign, led by the disbelievers, ended in fiasco. Their efforts proved in vain. On the other hand when the Prophet (SAWS) and his companions reached Madeenah, they built Masjid Nabavi from where Islam started to spread its light and strengthened it roots with the help of brotherhood among the Ansars and Muhajireen. The emotion of equality and justice, sacrifice and selflessness overcame. A great and healthy society was founded. The door of victory opened and this important migration became key factor to emerge Islam globally. Islam flourished all over the world, the message of oneness of Allah and prophet-hood reached every corner of the world and the guidance and righteousness became the day to day practice of lives. Therefore undoubtedly it can be claimed that the migration of the Prophet is the most deserved event in Islam to be given the due importance by starting the Islamic year. The decision, therefore, taken by the second caliph after the mutual consultation with the companions was a great initiative that implies a great strategy and tells his high wisdom. When the companions agreed, the issue of the first month to start the Islamic year was raised. They discussed and decided “Muharram-ul-haram” to be the first month of the year, because when the prophet (SAWS) intended to migrate it was the month of Muharram. Similarly, it was the first month of the year in the age of Jahiliyah. It became convenient for all to retain the same month as the first to carry forward the previous state of the affairs. After the decision of the Islamic year and the month all happenings were put in order according to the new calendar. Today Muslims condition is going from bad to worse, be it in Muslim countries or non- Muslim countries, they feel pride to follow the European and American culture and deem it the path of success and progress and regard the Islamic rules and regulations and its culture a disturbance on their way to progress. They run towards the culture of Jews and Christians as a wolf runs towards the goat in solitary, in the field. In fact we should think about the matter with open mind before adopting it; is it clashing with Islam or not? What will be its consequences? But it is regretted that we are not using our intellect. The ant-Islamic elements try every nerve to propagate their civilisation and culture through every possible means. We welcome them with our eyes shut, knowing nothing where it will lead the people. It is observed when the new Christian year starts; we celebrate it committing a great deal of unlawful acts. We are allowed to use Christian Calendar with no oppose, If necessary. The new Islamic year goes unnoticed by one and all. We are not aware of what we should practise in the month of Muharram and what the acts are to be abstained from. Even we are not aware of the names of Islamic months. We never bother ourselves to use Islamic calendar when we need, except Madaris. The time is not far from us Islamic civilisation and culture will be ruined and finished from the world, if we persist on preferring others.