Happy New Year!

Al Hijra: Islamic New Year’s Day

Al Hijra is the first day of the Islamic New Year, marking the day when Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) began his migration from Mecca to Medina in Islamic Year 1 (1 AH), 622 CE.

In 2009, Al Hijra in the UK falls on 18 December: 1 Muharram, 1431 AH in the Islamic calendar. (source: National Maritime Museum, UK)

Al-Hijra, is a low-key event in the Muslim world, celebrated less than the two major festivals of Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha.

New Year rituals
There is no specific religious ritual required on this day, but Muslims will think about the general meaning of Hijra, and regard this as a good time for 'New Year Resolutions'.

Muhammad Ilyes [Ilyes84] quotes Nadvi who wrote:
"It (the advent of the 15th century) is indeed, a unique occasion to ponder that the Islamic Era did not start with the victories of Islamic wars, nor with the birth or death of the prophet (PBUH), nor with the Revelation itself. It starts with Hijra, or the sacrifice for the cause of Truth and for the preservation of the Revelation.

It was a divinely inspired selection. God wanted to teach man that struggle between Truth and Evil is eternal. The Islamic year reminds Muslims every year not of the pomp and glory of Islam but of its sacrifice and prepares them to do the same.''

A personal Hijra
The Qur'an uses the word Hijra to mean moving from a bad place or state of affairs to a good one - and so Muslims may think about how their faith helps them leave behind bad ways of living and achieve a better life.

'New Year Resolutions'
Some people may use this time to reflect everything and seek to improve their iman (belief). Some people may argue that Ramadan is the time to reflect oneself and make changes and may regard this "new years thing" as just another innovation. Personally I believe there is no harm in that i.e to improve ones iman whatever the day in the year. If you decide to make resolutions, then read the following advice on "Ten useless matters" and think about what you can do to improve youself. It would have been easy to write a list of resolutions to think over based around the five pillars of Islam, but the list of "ten useless matters" should make you think on what we are doing wrong and correct them accordingly.

Ten useless matters
(taken from lutonmuslims)
1. Knowledge that is not acted on.
2. The deed that has neither sincerity nor is based on following the righteous examples of others.
3. Money that is hoarded; as the owner neither enjoys it during this life nor obtains any reward for it in the Hereafter.
4. The heart that is empty of love and longing for Allah; and of seeking closeness to Him.
5. A body that does not obey and serve Allah.
6. Loving Allah without following His orders or seeking His pleasure.
7. Time that is not spent in expiating sins or seizing opportunities to do good.
8. A mind that thinks about useless matters.
9. Serving those who do not bring you close to Allah; nor benefit you in your life.
10. Hoping and fearing whoever is under the authority of Allah and in His hand; while he cannot bring any benefit or harm to himself; nor death; nor life; nor can he resurrect himself.

However the greater of these matters are wasting the heart and wasting time. Wasting the heart is done by preferring this worldly life over the Hereafter; and wasting time is done by having incessant hope. Destruction occurs by following one’s desires and having incessant hope; while all goodness is found in following the right path and preparing oneself to meet Allah.

How strange it is that when a servant of Allah has a [worldly] problem; he seeks help of Allah; but he never asks Allah to cure his heart before it dies of ignorance; neglect; fulfilling one’s desires and being involved in innovations. Indeed; when the heart dies; he will never feel the significance or impact of his sins.


Further reading:
(1) Story of the Prophet’s Hijrah - islamonline.net

(2) A Brief Introduction ToThe Islamic (Hijri) Calendar - Dr Waleed A. Muhanna

(3) What is the proper way of celebrating the Islamic New Year? - islamonline.net

(4) The best of the best, Have you ever wondered to yourself what it actually means to be the best? - lutonmuslims.co.uk