Say no to Happy islamic new year!
Every year, a large number of Muslims get into the festive spirit and celebrate Islamic New Year’s day. Whether it’s Facebook status updates, Twitter messages or even holding New Year’s Eve parties – many Muslims go the whole 9 yards when it comes to ringing in the New Year. But is this a harmless cultural practice with no faith based significance or a step in the wrong direction? I believe that it is the latter.
As Muslims, we have our own calendar that has been in constant use for 1400 years. Even though we may end up using the Gregorian calendar due to circumstances beyond our control, but that doesn’t mean we will imitate them in every matter. I will give you few reasons:
Firstly, in this month Hazrat imam Hussain a.s and his companions get martyred, the grandson of Hazrat Muhammad(P.B.U.H), the son of hazrat Imam Ali a.s. At the beginning of each islamic lunar calender, the first ten days are observed as a commemoration of a most horrific and tragic event. Muslim relive the event of ashura when Hazrat Imam Hussain a.s. challenged the authority of Yazeed, the Umayyad ruler. Imam hussain a.s. stood for the Quranic principles of justice and fairness. Imam hussain a.s refused to surrender to the forces of oppression knowing fully well that he will get martyred.
It is a month of serious reflection for the muslim world. Can you greet hazrat Muhammad(P.B.U.H) with happy new year when you know that the islamic year starts with the month in which his grandson got martyred? I know your answer is No.
Secondly, Any celebration by Muslims needs to be put into context of the local and global situation of our fellow human beings. The two Eids amply do so by encouraging prayers, duaa for those suffering and alms to the needy. However, celebrating the New Year does no such thing.
It is a celebration that is cut off from the reality of the rest of the Ummah. The starvation in Somalia, the murder in Syria, the imprisonment of Gaza, the ethnic cleansing of Burma – celebrating the New Year is pretty much exactly the opposite of the “fever and wakefulness” that the Prophet spoke about when he said we were like one body.
Salahuddin Ayyubi was once asked why he hardly ever smiled even though this was a sunnah of the Prophet. He replied, “How can I smile when I know that Masjid Al Aqsa is being defiled and the Muslims are suffering?!” That attitude, dear brothers and sisters, is why he achieved what he did and why we’re still debating on whether or not it is acceptable to send “Happy New Year” messages.
Let’s be honest. When you picture New Year’s Eve celebration, you don’t picture people sitting in a gathering that could take place in a mosque or with the local Imam around. Instead, they are (and I know this is a generalization) usually events that mirror the celebrations of where this holiday originated from. It is usually an Islam free zone, which is not entirely surprising given that it has no basis or relationship to Islam.
The number of scholars who condone the celebration of the New Year are in the minority. The scholars who do condone it almost never actually celebrate the New Year themselves or with their families – at least not in public – showing that even though they may believe it acceptable, it is not preferable.
This is meant to be a gentle reminder and not a harsh rebuke. We are encouraged to be warm and welcoming, not least because it will attract others to our faith. By the same token, it is against the spirit of Islam to do any of the above by subordinating our own faith, culture or heritage.
There are many ways to showcase our manners and act as ambassadors for our faith without having to adopt the celebrations of others. By adopting the celebrations of others, we may be harmlessly saying a few words or just enjoying ourselves. Equally, we may be opening the door to disappearing within the dominant culture and to a future which of blurred boundaries for our culture.
So this year – as the clock strikes 12am and the date turns to be the 1st muharram – please don’t celebrate new year. May Allah give us all many, many more in happiness, health and unity for the whole of the Ummah. Ameen.