Muslims will mark their new Islamic (Lunar) Year on or about November 15, 2012, which would be 1434 years after the Hijra.
There are two kinds of Hijra: the Physical Hijra (Physical Migration) and the Spiritual Hijra (Spiritual Migration).
When Prophet Mohammed undertook the physical migration from Makkah to Madinah, it was a journey from danger to safety, from oppression to freedom.
We must remember that he could have remained in Makkah and sought accommodation with the Quraish tribe that offered him many incentives to give up his mission.
The tribal folk felt threatened by his teachings that spoke of one unseen God, rights for women and slaves, and justice for the poor.
They even tried to bribe him by offering wealth and status.
He could have enjoyed a peaceful and comfortable retirement in his motherland.
Prophet Mohammed was unwavering in his obedience to Allah.
In Madinah, he continued the struggle to establish justice, remove oppression, guide his new community and create role models for future generations.
The Madinah Model
For the first time in the history of mankind, a nation was born that had nothing to do with race, language, tribe or skin colour.
This was the first ideological community, the first nation to be defined by a simple belief that there is no God but Allah, and that Mohammed is His Messenger.
The Prophet showed how to relate to other communities such as Jews and Christians and how to protect the rights of non-Muslims within the Islamic State.
Here was the first written constitution that guaranteed the rights of minority communities.
Until the end of time, the Madinah model will be the template for a balanced way of living, a perfect way of life.
We must therefore understand the relevance of the prophetic Hijra to our lives.
If we live in a place where our faith and life are in danger, we have to move away.
We are told in the Holy Quran that when the Angels of Death question those who sinned, they will accept no excuses.
“Was Allah’s earth not wide enough for you to move away from a sinful environment?” they will ask.
Day of Introspection
Unlike the Western New Year, the Islamic New Year’s Day is dedicated to faith, in which Muslims honour the beginning of Islam and reflect on the passage of time.
The Gregorian Year and the Islamic New Year have occurred close to each other in the recent past.
Westerners make resolutions on New Year’s Day, whereas Muslims are encouraged to remember the lessons of the Prophet and take time to reflect.
Traditionally, Muslims do not celebrate the beginning of a New Year.
If they do, it is to acknowledge the passing of time.
The passage of time is measured by using the Islamic (Hijra) calendar.
It has 12 lunar months.
The Crescent Moon is the guide to determine the beginning and end of a month.
Years are counted from the date of the migration of the Prophet to Madinah.
This year, we are six weeks ahead of the Gregorian New Year 2013.
Many Muslims look forward to a Gregorian New Year to wish each other prosperity and make resolutions.
Islam discourages this practice.
The above is an edited version of an article that appeared in ‘Rocket Science,’ the monthly Newsletter of Mt Albert Islamic Centre, Auckland.
