Islamic Holidays, A.H. 1423 “1430 (2002 “2009)
In the Year
of the Hegira | Muharram
(Islamic New Year) | Mawlid al-Nabi
(Muhammad's
Birthday) | Ramadan
begins | Eid al-Fitr
(Ramadan ends) | Eid al-Adha
(Festival of
Sacrifice) |
|---|
| A.H. 1423 | March 15, 2002 | May 24, 2002 | Nov. 6, 2002 | Dec. 6, 2002 | Feb. 12, 2003 |
| A.H. 1424 | March 5, 2003 | May 14, 2003 | Oct. 27, 2003 | Nov. 26, 2003 | Feb. 2, 2004 |
| A.H. 1425 | Feb. 22, 2004 | May 2, 2004 | Oct. 16, 2004 | Nov. 14, 2004 | Jan. 21, 2005 |
| A.H. 1426 | Feb. 10, 2005 | April 21, 2005 | Oct. 5, 2005 | Nov. 4, 2005 | Jan. 10, 2006 |
| A.H. 1427 | Jan. 31, 2006 | April 11, 2006 | Sept. 24, 2006 | Oct. 23, 2006 | Dec. 31, 2006 |
| A.H. 1428 | Jan. 20, 2007 | March 31, 2007 | Sept. 13, 2007 | Oct. 13, 2007 | Dec. 20, 2007 |
| A.H. 1429 | Jan. 10, 2008 | March 20, 2008 | Sept. 2, 2008 | Oct. 2, 2008 | Dec. 9, 2008 |
| A.H. 1430 | Dec. 29, 2008 | March 9, 2009 | Aug. 22, 2009 | Sept. 21, 2009 | Nov. 28, 2009 |
Muharram (1st of Muharram)
The Islamic New Year
The month of Muharram marks the beginning of the Islamic year. The Islamic year begins on the first day of Muharram, and is counted from the year of the Hegira the year in which Muhammad [pbuh] emigrated from Mecca to Medina (A.D. July 16, 622). The new year in 2007 marks the beginning of A.H. 1428.
The Islamic new year is celebrated relatively quietly, with prayers and readings and reflection upon the hegira.
Mawlid al-Nabi (12th of Rabi I)
Prophet Muhammad's Birthday
This holiday celebrates the birthday of Muhammad [pbuh], the founder of Islam. It is fixed as the 12th day of the month of Rabi I in the Islamic calendar. Mawlid means birthday and al-Nabi means The Prophet.
The day is commemorated with recollections of Muhammad's [pbuh] life and significance. Some Muslims such do not celebrate it.
Eid al-Fitr (1st of Shawwal)
The Celebration concluding the fasting in Ramadan
Ramadan, the month of fasting, ends with the festival of Eid al-Fitr. Literally the "Festival of Breaking the Fast," Eid al-Fitr is one of the two most important Islamic celebrations (Eid al-Adha is the other). At Eid al-Fitr people dress in their new clothes, adorn their homes with lights and decorations, give treats to children, and enjoy visits with friends and family.
A sense of generosity and gratitude permeates these festivities. Although charity and good deeds are always important in Islam, they have special significance at the end of Ramadan. As the month draws to a close, Muslims are obligated to share their blessings by feeding the poor and making contributions to mosques.
Eid al-Adha (10th of Dhu'l-Hijjah)
The celebration concluding the Hajj
Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, commemorates the prophet Abraham's [pbuh] willingness to obey Allah by sacrificing his son Ishmael [pbuh]. According to the Qu'ran, just before Abraham [pbuh] sacrificed his son, Allah replaced Ishmael [pbuh] with a ram, thus sparing his life.
On the 9th of Dhu'l-Hijjah, Yaum- al Arafaah is observed by the people. Those Muslims who are performing the Hajj gather in the plain of Arafaah and pray for the forgiveness of their sins. this is a very important element of the Hajj.
One of the two most important Islamic festivals, Eid al-Adha begins on the 10th day of Dhu'l-Hijja, the last month of the Islamic calendar. Lasting for three days, it occurs at the conclusion of the annual Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims all over the world celebrate, not simply those undertaking the hajj, which for most Muslims is a once-a-lifetime occurrence.
The festival is celebrated by sacrificing a lamb or other halal animal and distributing the meat to relatives, friends, and the poor. The sacrifice symbolizes obedience to Allah and its distribution to others. This is an expression of generosity.
Other Important Islamic Dates:
Aashura
Imam Husain's Martyrdom and other significant events.
10th of Muharram
Ashura is celebrated on the ninth and tenth day of Muharram on the Islamic Calendar. Ashura is an Arabic word meaning "ten", and it is a day of optional fasting. Jews in the city of Madina fasted only one day, (on Yom Kippur) so the Prophet Muhammad [pbuh] would fast two. This is the day on which God saved Moses [pbuh] and the Israelites from Pharaoh in Egypt as he crossed the Red Sea (the Exodus). According to Islamic tradition Muhammad [pbuh] fasted along with the neighboring Jewish communities on this occasion, and according to narrations, Muhammad [pbuh] planned on fasting on the 9th and 10th of Muharram. (According to Judaism the Israelites left Egypt on the first day of Passover, and they crossed the Sea of Reeds seven days later on the last day of Passover, both of which are celebrated as holidays with meals.) This is also the day on which Muhammad's grandson, Husayn ibn Ali, was martyred in the Battle of Karbala. For Shi'a Muslims this is a day of mourning. Many Sunni Muslims also commemorate this event, albeit in a less dramatic fashion than the Shi'a.
Israa' and Meraj
Night Journeys to Jerusalem and to the Heavens
26th of Rajab
Laylat ul Isra and Mi'raj is Arabic for "the Night of the Journey and Ascension". It falls on 27th of Rajab. It is the night when Muhammad [pbuh] was, according to Hadiths, taken to "the furthest mosque" (generally understood to be Jerusalem) on a Buraq (a beast resembling a horse with wings; some people consider it a cherub) and ascended to the highest level of the heavens.
Lailatul-Bara'at
Night of Salvation
14th of Sha'ban
Laylat ul Bara'ah is Arabic for "the Night of Freedom from Fire." It occurs on the night between the 14th and 15th of Sha'ban. It is considered a night when Muslims are graced with Divine Mercy and blessings. The night is spent in the recitation of the Qur'an and special prayers.
Lailatul-Qadr
Night of Power
The NIght of Power may be observed on any of these Nights in Ramadan 21st, 23rd, 25th,27th, 29th
Laylat al-Qadr is Arabic for "The Night of Power". It falls on one of the last ten nights of Ramadan on an odd numbered night. It is considered the holiest night in the entire month of Ramadan, since it is the night in which the Qur'an was first revealed. It is also considered better than a thousand months [Qur'an 97:1-3]. It is said that if one offers voluntarily worships on that night, all the past sins are forgiven.
