Muslim New Year: features and traditions

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

New Year is one of the few holidays that is celebrated in different religions. Islam is no exception. However, the Muslim New Year has many features that are related both to the date of the event and the way it is celebrated.

Hijri calendar

Hijra is a Muslim calendar that dates back to October 3, 1438. It differs from the Gregorian in that its calculation takes place according to the lunar calendar, the annual cycle of which is 354 days, which is 11–12 days shorter than the Gregorian. This circumstance influences the date of the celebration of the Muslim New Year, which falls on the first month of spring.

"Hijra", translated from Arabic, means "resettlement". The Islamic calendar owes its name to its involvement in the migration of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina, which he accomplished in 622. From the day of the Prophet's move, the Muslim calendar begins.

New Year according toHijri

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 Hijri calendar, the New Year in Islam is the day of the prophet's migration to Medina.

The Hijri holiday begins in the first calendar month of Muharram. But, since the calculation is based on the lunar calendar, the date of the New Year every year comes 11-12 days earlier than the previous one.

So, in 2017, the New Year is celebrated on September 22. And here is what date the Muslim New Year 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. She is accompanied by a thorough cleaning of her home, which is not limited to one day. Already closer to the date of Novruz, Muslims begin to grow wheat or lentil sprouts. And a few days before the celebration, Islamic families are actively preparing New Year's dishes and inviting relatives and friends to visit.

On the eve of the holiday, it is also customary to honor deceased relatives.

On New Year's Day, every Muslim man is required to arrive at the mosque to read prayers and in order to once again hear the sermon on the resettlement of the Prophet Muhammad to Medina.

After the holiday comes the fasting period. This is an obligatory tradition that is observed during the first month of the New YearIslamic calendar. Fasting has strict restrictions, the implementation of which is mandatory. So, every Muslim has to give up food and water, entertainment, sexual intercourse, bathing, smoking and using incense. Refraining from these activities is obligatory until sunset. That is, every day, at dawn, the Muslim people fully devote themselves and their thoughts to the service of Allah. And only when the sun goes below the horizon, people are allowed to indulge in a meal, but with the exception of most dishes.

In the eastern markets, in preparation for the holiday, you can find many different photos and postcards for sale with the Muslim New Year.

In the first month of the coming year, Muslims consider it a good sign to celebrate weddings, start building houses, and in general this is a great time for any 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 thanksgiving addressed to Allah. The owner of the house begins to eat first, and only after him do other family members start the festive meal.

Traditional Muslim New Year dishes

Festive table for Muslims implies the presence of seven traditional dishes. Moreover, the menu should contain only those whose namebegins with the letter "sin" of the Arabic alphabet. So, in every Muslim family, the table is decorated as follows.

1. Sabzeh. This is the main symbol of the New Year's table, which is the sprouts of sprouted wheat or lentils. On the 14th day after the holiday, they are thrown into the river.
2. Sib - an apple that personifies a symbol of beauty and excellent he alth.
3. Samanu. This is a Muslim pudding made from wheat germ. Samana symbolizes the beginning of a new life.
4. Senjed - dried lotus fruit, the personification of love.
5. Syr is medicinal garlic.
6. Somak are red berries. Their presence on the table represents the superiority of good over the forces of evil.
7. Serkeh - Islamic vinegar, meaning wisdom and patience.

Culinary symbols of the Muslim New Year are decorated with fragrant mint sprigs. Of course, in addition to symbolic dishes, there are other foods on the table.

What else decorates the New Year's table?

The presence of lamb dishes is considered mandatory. On the eve of the celebration, Islamic families traditionally cook kukus from lamb or beef. In addition, the table is bursting with various oriental sweets, fruits, meat dishes and rice.

From drinks, there are only a few varieties of tea, coffee, and fruit juices. No alcohol.

What does 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 respectablea Muslim analyzes his past year in terms of his deeds.

How many good deeds did the past year take away? How often was God revered, how many prayers were read? How well did everyone prepare themselves to meet Allah in the realm of the dead? And what righteous deeds does he intend to do in the coming year? All these questions fill the thoughts of believers.

It is not for nothing that the first day of the New Year is crowned with the beginning of fasting - a time for refraining from bad thoughts, quarrels and committing sins, a time when not only the body, but also thoughts are cleansed.