The Significance of the Islamic Calendar
It is extremely upsetting to notice every year the vast number of Muslims, in the East and the West, welcoming and celebrating the start of the Christian New Year. Many of these Muslims even record and remember history according to the Christian (non-Islamic) calendar; yet, when the new year of the Islamic calendar enters they do not recall anything from the glorious history of Islam.
Despite the attack and colonisation of Muslim lands by the Crusaders, there is absolutely no excuse for us to forget our glorious history and disregard the Islamic calendar, for it has been mentioned by Allah (SWT) in the Noble Qur'aan:
Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve months [in a year], so was it ordained by Allah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are sacred [i.e. the 1st, the 7th, the 11th and the 12th months of the Islamic calendar]. That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein, and fight against the Mushrikoon [polytheists, pagans, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah] collectively, as they fight against you collectively. But know that Allah is with those who are al-Muttaqoon [the pious, i.e. Believers]. (EMQ at-Tawbah, 9:36)
This aayah (verse) speaks about the Islamic calendar months, among which four are considered to be sacred. The Messenger Muhammad (SAW) also said, concerning the Islamic months:
Three are in succession; Dhul-Qa'dah, Dhul-Hijjah and Muharram, and [the forth is] Rajab, which comes between Jumaada [ath-Thaani] and Sha'baan. (Saheeh Muslim, Hadeeth no. 1679)
It is vital for us to remember and live by the Islamic calendar since much of our 'ibaadaat (ritual acts) are based upon it, not upon the calendar of the Kuffaar. For instance, Muslims are obliged to fast in Ramadaan, not in January or March, for example. Also, we are obliged to perform Hajj at least once in our life time. This pilgrimage can only be performed in Dhul-Hijjah; if it were performed in any other month it will never be accepted by Allah (SWT).
Furthermore, sins are more severe in the Sacred Months. 'Ali bin Abee Talhah narrated that Ibn 'Abbaas (RA) said: "Allah chose four out of these months and made them sacred, emphasising on their sanctity, making sinning in them greater, in addition to multiplying rewards of righteous deeds during them." (At-Tabari, 14:238)
Qataadah (RA) also said: "Injustice during the Sacred Months is worse and graver than injustice in other months. Verily, injustice is always wrong, but Allah makes things graver than others as He wills."
The Islamic calendar, or New Year, begins in Muharram and commenced from the Hijrah of the Messenger of Allah (SAW) � the day when sovereignty and supremacy was declared for none but Almighty Allah. Originally, there was no particular calendar that people used to refer to; however, sixteen or seventeen years after the Hijrah, 'Omar bin al-Khattaab (RA) decided to record particular events according to the Islamic calendar. Some suggested that the calendar should be associated with the birth of the Prophet (SAW); others thought they should use the calendars of the Jews and Christians. Eventually, both of these ideas were rejected since the Sahaabah and pious believers did not want to follow and imitate the Kuffaar. Therefore, 'Omar decided that the Islamic calendar should be related to the day the Prophet made hijrah since this was the day when the haq (truth) prevailed. As a result, the Islamic years are recorded in Hijrah years.
The believers then began to discuss which month the Islamic calendar should actually initiate from. 'Omar (RA) and 'Ali (RA) believed it should start from Muharram as it is one of the sacred months; also, it was the month when, after the believers performed the faraa'id (duties) of Hajj, the Prophet (SAW) was given Bay'ah (the Pledge) � and this was the introduction to the Hijrah.
The Islamic months are different from the months of the Kuffaar; they are lunar, not solar. Therefore, a new day begins from sunset and a new month enters when the new moon has been sighted. This is what the Salaf used to follow and what Allah has blessed us with by linking the Islamic months to our ritual acts. Furthermore, Allah (SWT) made these months signs for mankind:
They ask you about the new moons. Say: 'These are signs to mark fixed periods of time for mankind and for the pilgrimage.' (EMQ al-Baqarah, 2:189)
The calendars of the Kuffaar are completely useless and irrational to Muslims and they have no link to the lunar system; hence, this is why some of their days are 29, some are 30 and some are 31. Since there is no reasonable or logical explanation to this, the Kuffaar have talked � numerous times � about altering these months. However, the Kuffaar Christians and Jews reject this proposal out of fear that their calendar would be changed.
Muslims should have their own state in order to declare sovereignty for none but Allah and to be distinguished from inferior nations. The Islamic Ummah is a unique ummah, unique in terms of belief, way of life, identity and way of thinking. It is an Ummah that is superior and can never be surpassed. There is no such thing as Boxing Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day (we do not remember our parents and fulfil our duties towards them only once a year), Christmas, Easter, Valentines or bank holidays etc. We should not blindly follow other people; we are supposed to be a leading nation, not a nation which is led. Moreover, by following the Kuffaar it shows that we are weak and have nothing to refer to.
If we start to record our activities according to the Islamic calendar, as the Pious Predecessors did, it will remind us of the important events which occurred in the life of the Messenger Muhammad (SAW) and the Sahaabah (RA). We will begin to recall the causes of the Prophet's hijrah (migration) from Makkah to al-Madeenah and significant battles in their lives and the lessons which can be learnt from them. The reason why we are so detached from the lives of the Messenger (SAW) and his Companions is because we no longer remember our prestigious history and apply the lessons which should have been learnt to our reality today. Instead of leading mankind, we have begun to follow the footsteps, ways of life, calendars and ideologies of the Kuffaar � and this is one of the greatest causes of our decline as a superior and indomitable nation.
When a new year arrives we need to be honest and account ourselves. How much have we earned from the pleasure of Allah in the past year? How did we utilise the months which have just passed? Did we invest them for the cause of Allah or did we waste them? Al-Hasan al-Basri used to say, "The believer is one who accounts himself." 'Omar bin al-Khattaab used to say, "Account yourselves before you are brought to account [on the Day of Judgement]�"
It is about time for us to remember our history and take lessons from it. Many Muslims know about the historical dates and events of the Kuffaar; yet, how many know on which date the Battle of Badr occurred, the Mi'raaj of the Prophet, the Conquest of Makkah, the battles of Uhud and Ahzaab? Nowadays we study the history of the Kuffaar but not the history of the greatest people that walked the face of this earth; people whom Allah (SWT) praised in His miraculous Book.
The Muslim Ummah must begin to study and remember their history. Those who do not account themselves in the dunyaa (present life) will face much difficulty on the Day of Accountability. Every year we enter into a new era and we should be ready for the consequences of yesterday's actions.
O you who believe! Fear Allah and keep your duty to Him. And let every person look to what he has sent forth for the morrow, and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is All-Aware of what you do. (EMQ al-Hashr, 59:18)
