The Islamic calendar was first introduced during the
era of the Amir Al-Mu’mineen, or leader of the
believers `Umar ibn Al-Khattaab , may Allaah be pleased with him,
during the sixteenth or seventeenth year after the Hijrah, or
migration of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. ‘Umar, may
Allaah be pleased with him, sought the peoples advice on when the Hijri calendar
should start. Some held that it should have started from the birth of the
Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, whilst others thought
that it should have begun from the very first day that the Messenger of
Allaah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam began his mission.
Another group believed that the calendar should have started from the
emigration and the last group held that the calendar should have begun from the
death of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam.
‘Umar, may Allaah be pleased with
him, agreed with those who wished to start the Islamic Calendar with the Hijrah of
the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam due to the fact that
this marked the point in history when Allaah differentiated between truth
and falsehood by giving the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam real
power and authority which was manifested in the form of the first Islamic
State.
The companions were also consulted on which month
should mark the beginning of the year; ‘Umar ibn
Al-Khattaab and ‘Uthmaan ibn ‘Affaan, may Allah be
pleased with them both, chose Al-Muharram due to
it being a sacred month and because it follows the month of Dhu’l-Hijjah,
which is when the Muslims perform Hajj, or the pilgrimage, which
was the last pillar of Islam that Allaah enjoined upon the Muslims. Al-Muharram also
follows the month in which the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam pledged
allegiance to the Ansar (His Madeenan supporters)
to emigrate to Madeenah and this pledge of allegiance was one
of the introductory acts of emigration. Due to all these reasons, Al-Muharram was
deemed the most suitable month to begin the Islamic Calendar.
The
Islamic Year begins with the auspicious month of Muharram, which is the month
in which the Holy Prophet of Islam (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam)
migrated from Makkah to Madinah, an event better known as the
"Hijrah". The Hijrah was a turning point in Islamic History from
whence Islam progressively strengthened its power and support base.
Prior to the Hijrah, the Muslims were few in number, were weak and were
therefore placed under physical, social and economics sanctions.
After arriving in Madinatul Munawwarah, Islam and the Muslims acquired economic
and political strength within a short space of time, and eventually gathered
the military might to conquer their oppressors of Makkah.
According to history, when Prophet Muhamad (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa
Sallam) arrived in Madina, Abdullah bin Salaam, the famous Jewish scholar was
busy breaking dates in his garden. When news of Rasoolullah's (Sallallaho
Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) arrival reached him, he immediately set out to
observe Rasoolullah's (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) activities.
Before long he found himself in the midst of the Muslims of Madina where
Rasoolullah's (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) was addressing the
Muslims thus, "O people! Get into the habit of greeting one another at
all times, and feed one another, and treat your relatives and friends with love
and kindness. And when everyone is asleep at night, remember to pray to
Almighty Allah at that time. If you keep up in practice with these things then
you shall enter Jannah in peace."
This Prophetic advice bears glad tidings for Muslims throughout the ages. Alas!
Had the Muslims of today only given heed to, and practised upon this advice, it
would have produced the solutions to nearly all their problems. Hidden embodied
in this advice is the secrets of the success of this world and the Hereafter.
This advice had produced a deeply profound effect on Abdullah bin Salaam, so
much so that he went to the house of Sayyiduna Abu Ayub Ansari (Radi Allahu
Anhu) and addressed the Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) in the
following manner, "I accept your claim of Prophethood and I sincerely
believe that your religion (Islam) is a true religion." Having made
this announcement, he accepted Islam. The
Jews came to Allah's Apostle and 'Abdullah went inside the house. Allah's
Apostle asked (the Jews), "What kind of man is 'Abdullah bin Salam amongst
you?" They replied, "He is the most learned person amongst us, and
the best amongst us, and the son of the best amongst us." Allah's Apostle
said, "What do you think if he embraces Islam (will you do as he
does)?" The Jews said, "May Allah save him from it." Then 'Abdullah
bin Salam came out in front of them saying, "I testify that None has the
right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is the Apostle of
Allah." Thereupon they said, "He is the evilest among us, and the son
of the evilest amongst us," and continued talking badly of him.
