Islamic Holy Days

Al-Hijra (1 Muharram): New Year’s Day

This festival commemorates the Hijra (or Hegira) in 622 CE when the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) moved from Mecca to Medina. The Hijra was the beginning of the growth of Islam into a world faith. The Muslim calendar counts dates from the Hijra, which is why Muslim dates have the suffix A.H. (After Hijra).

• 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".

• 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.

Ashura (10 Muharram)

Ashura has been a day of fasting for Muslims since the days of the early Muslim community. It marks two historical events: the day Nuh (Noah) left the Ark, and the day that Musa (Moses) was saved from the Egyptians by Allah. Shi’a Muslims in particular use the day to commemorate the martyrdom of Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet (pbuh) in 680 CE.

• In Shi’ite communities this is a solemn day: plays re-enacting the martyrdom are often staged, and many take part in mourning rituals.

Milad un Nabi (12 Rabi ul Awwal):Birthday of the Prophet (pbuh).

At this time Muslims think about Muhammad (pbuh), and the events of his life. Muslim parents will tell stories of the Prophet’s (pbuh) life to their children. Those Muslims who celebrate this festival do so joyfully.

Lailat al Miraj (27 Rajab):

The night journey and ascent of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), and the revelation of Salat. The festival is celebrated by telling the beautiful story of how the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was visited by two archangels while he was asleep, who purified his heart and filled him with knowledge and faith.

The Prophet (pbuh) travelled from Mecca to Jerusalem in a single night on a strange winged creature called Buraq. From Jerusalem he ascended into heaven, where he met the earlier prophets, and eventually God. During his time in heaven Muhammad (pbuh) was told of the duty of Muslims to recite Salat (ritual prayer) five times a day.

Lailat al Qadr (27 Ramadan): The Night of Power

The festival of The Night of Power marks the night in which the Qur’an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) by Allah. Muslims regard this as the most important event in history, and the Qur'an says that this night is better than a thousand months (97:3), and that on this night the angels descend to earth.

Lailat al Qadr is a good time to ask for forgiveness. Allah's Apostle said...

"Whoever establishes the prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah's rewards (not to show off) then all his past sins will be forgiven." (Bukhari Vol 1, Book 2: 34)

The date of 27 Ramadan for this day is a traditional date, as the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) did not tell us when the Night of Power would be, although he suggested it was in the last 10 days of the month. Because of this, many Muslims will treat the last 10 days of the month of Ramadan as a particularly good time for prayer and reading the Qur’an.

Eid ul Fitr (1 Shawwal)

This marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting, and is a festival of great celebration. In Islamic countries it is a public holiday. The first Eid was celebrated in 624 CE by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) with his friends and relatives after the victory of the battle of Jang-e-Badar.

Muslims are not only celebrating the end of fasting, but thanking Allah for the help and strength that he gave them throughout the previous month to help them practice self-control. The festival begins when the first sight of the new moon is seen in the sky. o Muslims in most countries rely on news of an official sighting, rather than looking at the sky themselves.

The celebratory atmosphere is increased by everyone wearing best or new clothes, and decorating their homes. There are special services out of doors and in Mosques, processions through the streets, and of course, a special celebratory meal—eaten during daytime, the first daytime meal Muslims will have had in a month. Eid is also a time of forgiveness, and making amends.

Eid ul Adha (10 Dhul-Hijja)

The Festival of Sacrifice

This festival marks the end of the Hajj or holy pilgrimage, which is one of the 5 pillars of Islam. However it is celebrated by all Muslims, not just those who are on the pilgrimage. This is a 4-day public holiday in Muslim countries. The festival remembers the prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son when God ordered him to. God appeared in a dream to Ibrahim and told him to sacrifice his son Isma’il. Ibrahim and Isma’il set off to Mina for the sacrifice.

As they went, the devil attempted to persuade Ibrahim to disobey God and not to sacrifice his beloved son. But Ibrahim stayed true to God, and drove the devil away.

As Ibrahim prepared to kill his son God stopped him and gave him a sheep to sacrifice instead. Ibrahim’s complete obedience to the will of God is celebrated by Muslims each year.

Each Muslim, as they celebrate, reminds themselves of their own submission to God, and their own willingness to sacrifice anything to God’s wishes. During the festival Muslims who can afford to, sacrifice domestic animals, usually sheep, as a symbol of Ibraham's sacrifice. The meat is distributed among family, friends and the poor, who each get a third share.

British law insists that the animals must be killed in a proper slaughterhouse.

As with all festivals there are prayers, and also presents.

Al-Hijra

The Islamic New Year, is the first day of the month of Muharram.

It's a low-key event in the Muslim world, celebrated less than the two major festivals of Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha. It marks the Hijra (or Hegira) in 622 CE when the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) moved from Mecca to Medina, and set up the first Islamic state. The Muslim calendar counts dates from the Hijra, which is why Muslim dates have the suffix A.H. (After Hijra).

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".

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.

The Hijra-The Start of Islam as a Community

The date marks the beginning of Islam as a community in which spiritual and earthly life were completely integrated. It was a community inspired by God, and totally obedient to God; a group of people bound together by faith

By breaking the link with his own tribe the Prophet (pbuh) demonstrated that tribal and family loyalties were insignificant compared to the bonds of Islam. This Muslim community grew steadily over time, unifying the many tribes that had made up the Arab world beforehand.

Earthly and Heavenly Power

Islam now developed as a combined spiritual and earthly community, with political and military power working hand in hand with spiritual power and guidance. At the same time the community developed the religious and ethical codes of behaviour that still provide the foundation of Muslim life.