Muslim New Year: features and traditions.

The New Year is one of the few holidays celebrated in various faiths. Muslims are no exception. However, the Muslim New Year has many features that are related to both the date of the event and the ways of celebrating it.

Hijra Calendar

Hijra is a Muslim calendar, which dates from October 3, 1438. It differs from the Gregorian in that its calculi occur according to the lunar calendar, the annual cycle of which is 354 days, which is 11-12 days shorter than the Gregorian. This circumstance influences the date of the celebration of the Muslim New Year, which falls on the first spring month.

"Hijra", translated from Arabic, means "resettlement." By this name, the Islamic calendar owes its involvement in the relocation of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina, which he performed in 622. Since the day the prophet moved, the Muslim calendar began.

New Year according to Hijri

The Christian people have erroneous information about the name of the Muslim New Year. It is believed that its name is Navruz, and it is celebrated on March 21. However, according to the Hijra calendar, the New Year in Islam is the day of the prophet's relocation to Medina.

The Hijri festival begins in the first calendar month of Muharram. But, since the calculus follows the lunar calendar, the New Year's date every year comes 11-12 days earlier than the previous one.

So, in 2017, the New Year is celebrated on September 22. But what is the date of the Muslim New Year in 2018: September 11. In 2019 - on September 1.

Festive Traditions

The Muslim New Year has its own unique traditions. So, the preparation for it begins a month before the onset. It is accompanied by a thorough cleaning of your home, which is not limited to one day. Already closer to the date of Novruz, Muslims are beginning to cultivate sprouts of wheat or lentils. And a few days before the celebration in the Islamic families there is an active preparation of New Year's dishes and an invitation to visit relatives and friends.

On the eve of the holiday, it is also customary to honor deceased relatives.

On New Year's Day, every Muslim man is obliged to come to the mosque to read prayers and to hear a sermon about the relocation of the Prophet Muhammad to Medina once again.

After the holiday, there comes a period of fasting. This is an obligatory tradition, which is observed during the first New Year's month of the Islamic calendar. Fasting has strict limitations, the fulfillment of which is obligatory. So, every Muslim has to give up food and water, amusement, sex, bathing, smoking and using incense. Abstention from these actions is mandatory until sunset. That is, every day, with the dawn, the Muslim people fully devotes themselves and their thoughts to the service of Allah. And only when the sun goes over the horizon, people are allowed to indulge in a meal, but with the exception of most dishes.

In the eastern markets, in preparation for the holiday, you can find on sale many different photos and postcards with the Muslim New Year.

In the first month of the coming year, Muslims are considered a good sign to celebrate weddings, start building houses, and in general this is a great time for any endeavors. In addition, at this time it is customary to help the needy, the poor and the homeless. This custom is typical for many Muslim holidays, the New Year is not an exception.

To the traditions of Muslims during the celebration of the New Year can be attributed and their behavior at the table. The beginning of the meal, as well as its ending, is accompanied by thanksgiving prayers addressed to Allah. The owner of the house begins to eat first and only after him to the festive meal the other members of the family begin.

Traditional dishes for Muslims in the New Year

A festive table for Muslims implies the presence of seven traditional dishes. And in the menu should be only those whose name begins with the letter "syn" of the Arabic alphabet. So, in every Muslim family, the table is adorned as follows.

1. Sabzeh. This is the main symbol of the New Year's table, which represents sprouts of sprouted wheat or lentils. On the 14th day after the holiday they are thrown into the river.
2. Sib is an apple that represents a symbol of beauty and excellent health.
3. Saman. This is a Muslim pudding, which is made from wheat sprouts. Samanu symbolizes the beginning of a new life.
4. Senged is a dried lotus fruit, the embodiment of love.
5. Sire is a healing garlic.
6. Somac are red berries. Their presence on the table represents the superiority of good over the forces of evil.
7. Serkeh - Islamic vinegar, indicating wisdom and patience.

Culinary symbols of the Muslim New Year are adorned with fragrant mint sprigs. Of course, besides the symbolic dishes on the table, there is another food.

What else decorates the New Year's table?

The presence of mutton dishes is considered obligatory. On the eve of the celebration, in the Islamic families traditionally cooked lamb or beef couscous. In addition, the table breaks and from various oriental sweets, fruits, meat dishes and rice.

Of the drinks, there are only a few varieties of tea, coffee, and fruit juices. No alcohol.

What does the New Year mean for Muslims?

For the peoples of the east, the New Year is not a reason for mass festivities. This is the time when every respectable Muslim analyzes his past year from the point of view of his deeds.

How many good deeds took the last year? How often was God worshiped, how many prayers were read? How well did each prepare themselves for a meeting with Allah in the realm of the dead? And what kind of righteous deeds he intends to accomplish in the coming year? All these questions fill the thoughts of believers.

It's not for nothing that the first day of the New Year is crowned with the beginning of the fast-time for abstaining from bad thoughts, quarrels and committing sins, a time when not only the body is cleansed, but also thoughts.