Tahir Iqbal
(July 16,622 – July 15, 2022 – 1400 SOLAR) (July 16,622 – July 29, 2022 – 1443 LUNAR) For measurement of time, the basic units are the intervals of brightness and darkness – termed as day and night – caused by axial rotation of earth in front of the sun. A day may consist of period between sun-rise and sun-set, with the following period of night or it may be a period between successive events such as two sun sets. Further the extensive period – month is an accumulation of days, synchronized either with the cycle of the moon phase or with the schedule of the seasons, while the year is either a course of the earth with reference to sun or a sum of twelve consecutive moon months. The prescription indicating the periods is known as calendar. In every sense, the count of time periods is based on the most salient, natural and regularly recurring course of the sun and moon, relevant to earth. The particular formulation is ordained by the Almighty Allah – the Creator of universe. Quran 10:5 “It is he who made the sun a shining glory and the moon a (derived) light and determined for it phases – that you may know the number of years and the count (of time). Allah has not created this except in truth. He details the signs for those who understand” Depending upon the course of the sun and the moon the calendar systems are distinguished as Lunar, solar and luni-solar. Lunar calendars are synchronized to the motion and ongoing observation of the moon. An year, stretched over 12 Lunar phases (months) – each of 29 or 30 days, consists of 354-3671 days. The solar calendars are based on perceived seasonal changes, synchronized to the apparent motion of the sun. There are almost 365-2422 days per year which are grouped in 12 months. Luni-solar Calendars are based on a combination of both solar and lunar reckonings. An extra month is added in the lunar year, after three years, to realign and remain synchronized with the solar year. The primary practical use of calendar is to identify days, count time periods from a reference event, to record an event that has happened or to schedule future programmes. Since each society has its own history, as such its own calendar system. While the solar system, Gregorian calendar is usual these days, various medieval or ancient calendars remain in regional use for religious or social purposes. Modern era Gregorian calendar is rated as of international standard and is use everywhere in the world. The observation based calendars – lunars, wherein each month is perfectly and perpetually, accurate cycle of moon phase, are accustomed to religious and allied events and are conveniently used worldwide. The most prominent amongst is the Hijri calendar which is practiced by Muslims over the whole world. Before the radiance of Islam, the Arabs practiced distinctive and inconsistent calendar systems. The Madina year was purely a lunar year, having months cycle synchronized with the moon phases and actual appearance of moon, while the Makkah year was roughly lunisolar, the months being lunar and out of four years, three of 12 months apiece and one of 13 months. The elders in Makkah, on the occasion of pilgrimage (Haj) used to decide the addition of 13th month to align the current calendar in conformity with the seasons and solar reckoning. Since the intention of the move, also, had been to serve the willful desires, the adjustment practice continued to be erroneous in relation to other solar calendars in vogue and in upsetting the standard schedules of established conventions – especially Haj Pilgrimage. For guidance the Most Merciful Almighty Allah revealed. Quran 9:36 “The number of months in the sight of Allah is twelve (in a year) so ordained by Jim, the day He created the heaven and earth………” Accordingly in the sermon, on the occasion of Farewell Pilgrimage (Hajat-ul-Wida) on 9th Dhul-haj (March 6, 632 A.D) the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) – the last Messenger of Almighty Allah, prohibited the addition of extra month in lunar year. The year was definitely fixed of 12 months – each of which calculated on the actual appearance of moon. In conformity the principles the lunar calendar – usually termed as Islamic calendar, has been originated afresh, with effect from (Hijrat) of Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) the last Messenger of Allah, to Madina. The event has not only deep spiritual significance but a suggestive, authoritative importance in World history. It marks the beginning of the period of moral values and civilization which enabled the Arabs and Muslims to own the leading place among the nations of the world. Consequent upon practicing the reviewed calendar system, each observation based year came about 11 days earlier in the solar year, thus the sacred months and events travelled all around the seasons and the solar year. Further the corresponding dates in other calendars can be computed exactly against the dates in the lunar calendar adopted after Hijrat, though it is not easy to have exact corresponding dates against the dates of the revoked calendars. Various research scholars have ascertained and indicated in relevant books – like award – winning “Raheeq-ul-Makhtoom” that period of sacred migration (Hijrat) is scheduled in the months of Safar and Rabi-ul-Awal. It is noteworthy that initially, at midnight on Zilhaj 12 (June 28, 622 A.D.) about seventy Muslims, inhabitant of Madina, who had come to Makkah to perform Haj pilgrimage, held a meeting with the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) at Aaqba (near Makkah) and requested Him for migration and pledged to provide assistance, security and all sort of support. About two and a half months later, on inspiring the divine message from the Almighty Allah, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) departed his house, which was besieged by infidels, at midnight on Safar 27 (September 12/13, 622 A.D.) and arrived at cave Thaur. He stayed there for three nights, started onward journey at night time on Rabo-uil-Awal 1 (September 16, 622 A.D.) and reached Qubaa (near Madina) on Rabi-ul-Awal 1 (September 23, 622 A.D.). The interim stay at this place was for four days. On the fifth day, the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) set-out for onward journey, led Friday prayer on the way and arrived Madina, in the evening on Rabi-ul-Awal 12 (September 27, 622 A.D.) The exited Muslims and inhabitants of Madina were there to eagerly receive the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) – the last Messenger of Almighty Allah (Peace be upon him) at Madina – which was destined to become the capital of Islamic State from henceforth. Thus the Rabi-ul-Awal 12 (September 27, 622 A.D.) may be assumed as the inauguration day for the Islamic State at Madina. The actual period of migration (Hijrat) is Safar 27 to Rabi-ul-Awal 12 (September 12/13 to September 27, 622 A.D) but as the first month of Arab year was (and is) Muharram, the formal adoption of Hijri year is counted from Muharram 1 (July 16, 622 A.D). The first day of Hijri year corresponds to July 16, 622 in solar system, thus July 16, 2022, is the first day of 15th century in reference to Hijrat year in solar system.
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