found a really good article on new year
NEW YEAR
by Moulana Abubakr diwan
As soon as the clock will strike 12 0’clock on 31st
December 2008, people all over the globe will be seen
hugging and wishing each other Happy New Year,
splashing out champagne, burning fireworks and
partying, crowds will throng the many pubs, bars and
restaurant, extravagant parties will romp the
atmosphere for a few days. Some will have feast and
real festivities whereas others, without knowing what
exactly they are doing will dance in tune.
The celebration of the New Year is a very ancient
ritual. Some claim, it was first observed in ancient
Babylon about 4000 years ago. In the years around
2000 BC, the Babylonian New Year began with the
first New Moon (actually the first visible crescent) after
the Vernal Equinox (first day of spring).
However the concept of New Year in Islam is
completely different. As the sun will set on the 27th
December 2008 (29th Dhul Hijjah 1429AH) Muslims all
over the world will be going out to sight the new moon.
Only this time it will be different. This sighting will
welcome and signal the start of new Islamic year,
1430AH.
As Muslims we do not “celebrate” the beginning of a
new year, but we do acknowledge the passing of time,
and take time to reflect on our own mistakes and seize
the opportunity to amend them for the future.
Muslims calculate their new year from the year of the
Hijrah, the year in which the Prophet (SAW) emigrated
from Makah to Madinah, an event that is widely
regarded as a turning point in the history of Islam. This
was the time when the position of the Muslims
changed from one of instability in Makkah to stability in
Madinah, and from persecution in Makkah to
tranquillity in the city of Medina.
The impact of the Hijrah upon the Muslim community
was so profound, that it changed the course of history
for the Muslims and heralded a new beginning for the
followers of the Prophet (SAW).
Muhammad (SAW) was able to establish control over
a civil and political community which would become
the foundation for the spread of Islam across the
globe.
Commemoration of Muhammad's (SAW) control over
Madinah helped reinforce the importance for Muslims
of Islam's unification with civil and political authority. It
is because of this great change in the fortunes of the
Muslims that Sayyidina Umar (RA) chose this journey
of the Nabi (SAW) to mark the beginning of the Islamic
Calendar. It is important to note that there were other
great events to choose from like the birth of the
Prophet (SAW), the revelation of the Quran and the
Mi’raj of the Nabi (SAW) but he chose the Hijrah
instead. Thus the “H” or sometimes “AH” is applied to
Islamic date to mark the time since Hijrah.
Dear readers let us take this time to reflect and ponder
on our past, a year has now gone from our lives, a
year which will never return. For those who have been
weakened by sins, idle pastimes and slumber,
shunned sincere advice, neglected prayers, and
committed sins. The doors of forgiveness have not
been closed, so let us repent to Allah (SWT) for our
errors and allow this ideal opportunity to be a turning
point in our lives, helping us better ourselves, by
making us more God conscious and considerate
towards others.
source
AL-ISLAH - Issue: 21
www.rabetah.com January 2009 / Muharram 1430