The beginning of Islamic New Year

Today marks the beginning of a new Islamic year, which was initiated after the Hijrah, or emigration, of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam and which marked the formation of the first Muslim nation within an independent Islamic territory under the rule of Muslims.

The Muslims had no formal annual calendar until the caliphate of ‘Umar bin al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him. In the third or fourth year of his caliphate, ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, received a message from Abu Moosaa al-Ash’ari, may Allah be pleased with him, who suggested that their future correspondence be confirmed with the appropriate date.

Therefore, ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, gathered some of the surviving companions of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam and consulted them on this matter. Some of them suggested adopting the Persian Calendar; others proposed adopting the Roman Calendar; others still proposed that the Muslims should form their own calendar and that it should start from the birth of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam; another group agreed but thought that the new Islamic Calendar should start from the day on which the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam embarked upon his mission; another group believed that this new Islamic Calendar should begin from the emigration of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam while a final group believed that should start from his death.

After a discussion they, may Allah be pleased with them all, agreed unanimously to adopt the position of those who held that the Islamic Calendar should start from when the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam emigrated from Makkah to Madinah and that the first month of this new Calendar be that of Al-Moharram. This is because Al-Moharram is a sacred month and because it follows Dhu’l-Hijjah which is the month in which the Muslims perform the Haj, or the pilgrimage, which is the last of the five pillars of Islam that was enjoined upon the Muslims. Al-Muharram also follows the month in which the Ansaar (the Madinan supporters of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) pledged allegiance to the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam which was prior to his migration to Madinah. This pledge of allegiance was one of the introductory acts of the emigration itself and therefore Al-Muharram was deemed the most suitable month to start the Islamic Calendar by the companions of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam.

It is truly saddening that some Muslims have chosen to use the Gregorian Calendar instead of the Hijri calendar. The Gregorian Calendar has no relation with Islam and although it has been in existence for longer than that of the Hijri Calendar, that is no excuse for the Muslims to adopt it. It is well known that the companions of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam would hate that any Muslim would use the Roman or Persian Calendar.

The sacred month of Moharram

Muslims must fear Allah and take lessons from what Allah has told us in the Qur’an regarding the Prophets and Messengers of Allah and the previous nations.

Allah said (which means):

“Indeed in their stories, there is a lesson for men of understanding. It (the Qur’an) is not a forged statement, but a confirmation of Allah’s existing books (the Torah, the Injeel, and other Scriptures of Allah), a detailed explanation of everything, and a guide and a mercy for the people who believe.” (Yusuf 12: 111)

And among the stories that Allah has narrated to us in His Book is what happened in Allah’s month,(1) the sacred month of Muharram,(2) and that is the story of Prophet Moosa, and Pharaoh the tyrant of Egypt, in the Qur’an, Allah tells us this story, which means,

“We recite to you some of the news of Moosa and Pharaoh in truth, for a people who believe (i.e. those who believe (ie those who believe in this Qur’an and in the Oneness of Allah). Verily, Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and made its people sects, weakening (oppressing) a group (Bani Israa’eel) among them, killing their sons and letting their females live. Verily, he was of the mufsidoon (those who commit great sins and crimes, oppressors and tyrants). And We wished to do a favour for those who were weak (and oppressed) in the land, and to make them rulers and to make them the inheritors, and rulers and to make them the inheritors, and to establish them in the land, and We let Pharaoh and Haamaan (a minister of Pharaoh) and their hosts receive from them that which they feared.” (Al-Qasas 28:3-6)

Pharaoh dominated the nation of Israa’eel and enslaved them, killing their newborn sons but letting their females live. The reason he committed this criminal act was the fear of the truth coming out from one of those newborn males. The nation of Israa’eel used to know, according to what came to them from Prophet Ibraheem, that someone from his lineage would destroy the king of Egypt. These glad tidings were famous among the nation of Israa’eel; and the news of it was made known to Pharaoh. Pharaoh ordered his soldiers to kill all newborn boys of the nation of Israa’eel; on order to secure himself from destruction.

However, all of the precautions that he made were not enough to protect him from what Allah wanted, which was for this newborn boy to be raised in the house of Pharaoh. The will of Allah cannot be stopped by any precautions and His ability conquers anything. So Allah chose for the Prophet Moosa to be born safely, to be saved from being killed, and also to be raised in Pharaoh’s own home under the protection of Allah until he was an adult.

Moharram

A scene from the last month’s Haj pilgrimage: The picture shows an aerial view of the area where pilgrims throw pebbles at pillars during the ‘Jamarat’ ritual, the symbolic stoning of Satan, in Mina, near the holy city of Makkah

Muslims must fear Allah and take lessons from what Allah has told us in the Qur’an regarding the Prophets and Messengers of Allah and the previous nations.

Allah said (which means):

“Indeed in their stories, there is a lesson for men of understanding. It (the Qur’an) is not a forged statement, but a confirmation of Allah’s existing books (the Torah, the Injeel, and other Scriptures of Allah), a detailed explanation of everything, and a guide and a mercy for the people who believe.” (Yusuf 12: 111)

And among the stories that Allah has narrated to us in His Book is what happened in Allah’s month,(1) the sacred month of Moharram,(2) and that is the story of Prophet Moosa, and Pharaoh the tyrant of Egypt, in the Qur’an, Allah tells us this story, which means,

“We recite to you some of the news of Moosa and Pharaoh in truth, for a people who believe (i.e. those who believe (ie those who believe in this Qur’an and in the Oneness of Allah). Verily, Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and made its people sects, weakening (oppressing) a group (Bani Israa’eel) among them, killing their sons and letting their females live. Verily, he was of the mufsidoon (those who commit great sins and crimes, oppressors and tyrants). And We wished to do a favour for those who were weak (and oppressed) in the land, and to make them rulers and to make them the inheritors, and rulers and to make them the inheritors, and to establish them in the land, and We let Pharaoh and Haamaan (a minister of Pharaoh) and their hosts receive from them that which they feared.” (Al-Qasas 28:3-6)

Pharaoh dominated the nation of Israa’eel and enslaved them, killing their newborn sons but letting their females live. The reason he committed this criminal act was the fear of the truth coming out from one of those newborn males. The nation of Israa’eel used to know, according to what came to them from Prophet Ibraheem, that someone from his lineage would destroy the king of Egypt. These glad tidings were famous among the nation of Israa’eel; and the news of it was made known to Pharaoh. Pharaoh ordered his soldiers to kill all newborn boys of the nation of Israa’eel; on order to secure himself from destruction.

However, all of the precautions that he made were not enough to protect him from what Allah wanted, which was for this newborn boy to be raised in the house of Pharaoh. The will of Allah cannot be stopped by any precautions and His ability conquers anything. So Allah chose for the Prophet Moosa to be born safely, to be saved from being killed, and also to be raised in Pharaoh’s own home under the protection of Allah until he was an adult.

Later Moosa accidentally killed a person from Pharaoh’s people. Moosa was afraid that he would be captured and be killed for this, so he fled to the land of Madyan and abided there for some time. He married there and then returned to Egypt. On the way back Allah talked to him (by wahy)(3) revelation and told him he was a prophet and the Messenger to Pharaoh. Allah told him many signs by which he will be known as the prophet of Allah and they would show that he was a true prophet.

Moosa went to Pharaoh and showed him the signs of Allah but Pharaoh wa arrogant and stubborn.

Moharram: The month of Allah

Muslims must fear Allah and take lessons from what Allah has told us in the Qur’an regarding the Prophets and Messengers of Allah and the previous nations.

Allah said (which means):

“Indeed in their stories, there is a lesson for men of understanding. It (the Qur’an) is not a forged statement, but a confirmation of Allah’s existing books (the Torah, the Injeel, and other Scriptures of Allah), a detailed explanation of everything, and a guide and a mercy for the people who believe.” (Yusuf 12: 111)

And among the stories that Allah has narrated to us in His Book is what happened in Allah’s month,(1) the sacred month of Moharram,(2) and that is the story of Prophet Moosa, and Pharaoh the tyrant of Egypt, in the Qur’an, Allah tells us this story, which means,

“We recite to you some of the news of Moosa and Pharaoh in truth, for a people who believe (i.e. those who believe (ie those who believe in this Qur’an and in the Oneness of Allah). Verily, Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and made its people sects, weakening (oppressing) a group (Bani Israa’eel) among them, killing their sons and letting their females live. Verily, he was of the mufsidoon (those who commit great sins and crimes, oppressors and tyrants). And We wished to do a favour for those who were weak (and oppressed) in the land, and to make them rulers and to make them the inheritors, and rulers and to make them the inheritors, and to establish them in the land, and We let Pharaoh and Haamaan (a minister of Pharaoh) and their hosts receive from them that which they feared.” (Al-Qasas 28:3-6)

Pharaoh dominated the nation of Israa’eel and enslaved them, killing their newborn sons but letting their females live. The reason he committed this criminal act was the fear of the truth coming out from one of those newborn males. The nation of Israa’eel used to know, according to what came to them from Prophet Ibraheem, that someone from his lineage would destroy the king of Egypt. These glad tidings were famous among the nation of Israa’eel; and the news of it was made known to Pharaoh. Pharaoh ordered his soldiers to kill all newborn boys of the nation of Israa’eel; on order to secure himself from destruction.

WHAT IS ‘UDHUIYA’ (QURBANI)?

‘Udhiya’ is an Arabic word meaning "blood sacrifice", and ‘Qurbani’ is an Urdu and Persian word derived from the Arabic word "Qurban" which literally means an act performed to seek Allah’s pleasure. It is technically used for the sacrifice of an animal slaughtered for the sake of Allah.

The sacrifice of an animal has always been a recognised form of worship in many religions, but in the ‘Shariah’ (Islamic sacred law) of our beloved Prophet the sacrifice of an animal has been recognised as a form of worship only during the three days of the month Zulhijjah, namely the 10th, 11th, and 12th .

Allah Ta’ala says in the Noble Quran:

"Verily, We have granted you (O Muhammad ) Al- Kauthar (a river in paradise),

So pray on to thy lord and sacrifice. For he who makes you angry will be cut off."

(Surah 10

"And the camels! We have appointed them among the ceremonies of Allah, therein ye have good!"

Of all of the physical and spiritual worships the greatest is ‘salaah’, and among the worships concerning wealth, sacrifice holds a distinguished position, because the original spirit of sacrifice was to sacrifice the soul. The replacement of an animal was made due to some reasons, as it is clear from the story of Hazrat Ibrahim and Hazrat Ismail . That is why in other places in the Quran the mention of ‘salaah’ is made together with ‘Qurbani’. (Tafseer-E-Usmaani)

About Id/Eid Service

The word `Id (from `ada, he or it returned) is literally "the time of return of joy and of grief" (LL), and hence it comes to indicate of a festival or a periodical festival. The word `Id itself occurs in the Holy Qur'an only in connection with the prayer of Jesus for bread for his disciples in the sense of an ever-recurring happiness (5 : 114). There are two festivals among the Muslims (h. 3), the festival of sacrifices, called `Id al-Adzha, (dzuha meaning early part of the day, and dzahha, he sacrificed a victim in the time of dzuha), and the festival of breaking fasts, called `Id al-Fitr (fatara meaning he split a thing, and aftara, he broke the fast). In the Holy Qur'an, a reference to `Id al-Adzha is contained in the course of the mention of the sacrifices which is the chief feature of that day (v. 1-2).

The dates for the two `Ids are determined with reference to the appearance of the two moon, and hence certain rules are laid down when there is doubt about it (hh. 1, 2). The festivals start, not with any physical enjoyment (h. 3). A sermon is delivered by the imam after two rak`ahs of prayer have been said, and stress is laid in it on matters relating to the welfare of the community (hh. 3, 4). No adhan is delivered, nor the iqamah; a number of additional takbirs is, however, pronounced during the service (hh. 5, 6). Women and children are also required to join in the service and listen to the sermon (hh. 7, 8). The `Id service is held wherever there is a number of Muslims, whether it is a town or a village or a solitary place (h. 8). In the `Id al-Fitr it is necessary to take some food before going out to pray (h. 9). The taking of a bath is also necessary (h. 10). The `Id prayer should be said at an early hour, say be breakfast time (h. 11). The Holy Prophet generally took a different route on returning from the place of prayer (h. 12). Sacrifice should not be offered until prayer has been said (h. 13). Everyone who has the means is required to sacrifice an animal (h. 14). Some details regarding the animals to be sacrificed are given in (hh. 15, 16). One goat or one sheep is sufficient for one man or one household, but seven men may be partners in one cow or one camel (h. 17). The animals may be sacrificed either on the day of `Id or on the two following days (h. 18). A part of the meat of the animal sacrificed is distributed among the poor, and the price of the skin must be devoted to charitable objects (H. xviii : 26). A charitable institution is also connected with the `Id al-Fitr in the form of Fitr charity which must be collected at a central place and then distributed (hh. 19-20). When the `Id occurs on a Friday, the Friday service becomes optional (h. 21). A little music or sport is not prohibited on the `Id day (h. 22).

Ount ( Camel ) ki qurbani Ka Tareeqa

Eid-ul-Azha ke Din Khaas kernay walay Qaam

Ye sub Ed-ul-Azha ke din kerain:

1. subha jaldi uthain.

2. miswak kerain aur bath lain.

3. acha libaas pahnain.

4. khushboo lagayain.

5. eid ki nimaz se pelhay kuch mat khayain.

6. eidgah ki teruf jaatay huay oonchi awaaz ma takbir kahain.

Allah-u Akbar, Allah-u Akbar

La-Ilaha ill-Allah

wa-Allah-u Akbar, Allah-u Akbar

wa-lillah-il-hamd

7. 2 rakaht Eid ul Azha ki nimaz eidgah main parhain.,

8. sermon (Kutbah) nimaz ke bahd sunana sunnah hai.

9. doseray different rastay se ghar aatay huay logon ko milain aur mubarik dain eid ki,aur Qurbani kerain.

10.qurbaani ka goosht poor,friends,relatives aur neighbours ko dain plus qurbaani ka meat ghar ma pakayain aur khud bhi khayain.

Qurbani - Sacrifice

Eid-ul-azha qareeb aa raha hai, sab se pehle to meri traf se forum muslims ko aur tamam ahle watan ko advance Eid Mubarak.

Eid-ul-azha Hazrat Adam AS k bête Hazrat Ismail AS ki qurbani ki yaad main manaie jaati hai, aur usi qurbani ko taza rakhne k lie har sahib-e-istita’at muslim par (Halal) janwar ki qurbani wajib ki gaie hai.

Wese to har muslim es din qurbani k lie koi na koi janwar qurbani k lie maidan main late hain, lekin bohot kam khush naseeb log hote hain jin ki qurbani Allah ko qabool hoti hai, ho sakta hai k main ne ye sentence likh kar ghalti ki ho lekin aaj kal k halaat aur logon ki niaton ko dek kar aisa lagta hai k shaied aisa hi hota hai.

Islam me janwar ki qurbani ka tareeqa Dr Zakir Naik

Bakre key Qurbani ka Tareeqa by Ameer e Ahlesunnat

The 9th day of Zulhijjah

The 9th day of Zulhijjah is called 'Youmul - "Arafah' (The Day of 'Arafah). This is the date when the Hujjaj (Haji pilgrims, plural of Haajj) assemble on the plain of 'Arafat, six miles away from Makkah al-Mukarramah, where they perform the most essential part of the prescribed duties of hajj, namely, the 'Wuqoof of'Arafat (the stay in 'Arafat).

For those not performing hajj, it is mustahabb (desirable) to fast on this day according to their own calendar. It sometimes occurs that 9th Zuihijjah falls on different days in different countries according to the sighting of the moon. In such cases, Muslims of each country should observe 'Youmul 'Arafah according to the lunar dates of their own country.

For example, if 'Youmul 'Arafah' is being observed in Saudi Arabia on Friday, and in Pakistan on Saturday, Pakistani Muslims should treat Saturday as 'Youmul 'Arafah' and should fast on that day if they desire to benefit from the fast of 'Youmul'Arafah'.

How to Perform Eid Prayers (Hanafi)

The Eid prayer has two raka'at performed in the normal way, with the only addition of six Takbirs, three of them in the beginning of the first raka'ah, and three of them just before ruku' in the second raka'ah. The detailed way of performing the Eid prayer is as follows:

The Imam will begin the prayer without Adhan or iqamah. He will begin the prayer by reciting Takbir of Tahrimah (Allahu Akbar). You should raise your hands up to the ears, and after reciting the Takbir, you should set your hands on your navel. The Imam will give a little pause during which you should recite Thana' (Subhanakallahumma .:.). After the completion of Thana', the Imam will recite Takbir (Allahu Akbar) three times. At the first two calls of Takbir you should raise your hands up to the ears, and after reciting Takbir (Allahu Akbar) in a low voice, should bring your hands down and leave them earthwards. But, after the third Takbir, you should set them on your navel as you do in the normal prayers.

After these three Takbirs, the Imam will recite the Holy Qur'an, which you should listen calmly and quietly. The rest of the raka'ah will be performed in the normal way.

After rising for the second raka'ah, the Imam will begin the recitations from the Holy Qur'an during which you should remain calm and quiet. When the Imam finishes his recitation, he will recite three Takbirs once again, but this time it will be just before bowing down for ruku'. At each Takbir you should raise your hands up to the ears, and after saying 'Allahu Akbar', bring them down and leave them earthwards. After these three takbirs have been called and completed, the Imam will say another takbir for bowing down into the ruku' position. At this takbir you need not raise your hands. You just bow down for your ruku' saying, 'Allahu Akbar'. The rest of the salah will be performed in its usual way.

Qurbani: Philosophy and Rules

Qurbani: Philosophy and Rules

by Mufti Taqi Uthmani

The Urdu and persian word Qurbani (Sacrificial slaughter) is derived from the Arabic word Qurban. Lexically, it means an act performed to seek Allah's pleasure. Originally, the word Qurban included all acts of charity because the purpose of charity is nothing but to seek Allah's pleasure. But, in precise religious terminology, the word was later confined to the sacrifice of an animal slaughtered for the sake of Allah.

The sacrifice of an animal has always been treated as a recognized form of worship in all religious orders originating from a divine book. Even in pagan societies, the sacrifice of an animal is recognized as a form of worship, but it is done in the name of some idols and not in the name of Allah, a practice totally rejected by Islam.

Who is Required to Perform Qurbani?

Every ***** Muslim, male or female, who owns 613.35 grams of silver or its equivalent in money, personal ornaments, stock-in-trade or any other form of wealth which is surplus to his basic needs, is under an obligation to offer a Qurbani.

Each ***** member of a family who owns the above mentioned amount must perform his own Qurbani separately. If the husband owns the required quantity, but the wife does not, the Qurbani obligatory on the husband only and vice-versa. If both of them have the prescribed amount of wealth, both should perform Qurbani separately.

If the ***** children live with their parents, Qurbani is obligatory on each one of them possessing the prescribed amount. The Qurbani offered by a husband for himself does not fulfil the obligation of his wife, nor can the Qurbani offered by a father discharge his son or daughter from their obligation. Each one of them should care for his own.

The Sunnah Method of Qurbani

It is more preferable for a Muslim to slaughter the animal of his Qurbani with his own hands. However, if he is unable to slaughter the animal himself, or does not want to do so for some reason, he can request another person to slaughter it on his behalf. In this case also, it is more preferable that he, at least, be present at the time of slaughter.

However, his absence at the time of slaughter does not render the Qurbani invalid, if he has authorized the person who slaughtered the animal on his behalf. It is a Sunnah to lay the animal with its face towards the Qiblah, and to recite the following verse of the Holy Quran:

I, being upright, turn my face towards the One who has created the heavens and the earth, and I am not among those who associate partners with Allah. ( Al-An'am, 6:79)

NABI (SAWW) ki Qurbani ka tareeqa in urdu

Prescribed Works on Eid-ul-Azha

The following eleven things have been prescribed to be done on Ed-ul-Azha;

1. To rise early in the morning.

2. To do miswak and do bathe.

3. To be clad in one?s best garments.

4. To use perfume.

5. Not to eat anything before Eid prayer.

6. To pronounce takbir loudly while going towards eidgah.

Allah-u Akbar, Allah-u Akbar

Allah is greatest Allah is greatest

La-Ilaha ill-Allah

There is no God but Allah

wa-Allah-u Akbar, Allah-u Akbar

and Allah is greatest Allah is greatest

wa-lillah-il-hamd

and all praise is for Allah.

7. To perform two rakah Eid ul Azha, wajib prayer in the eidgah.

8. After prayers to listen to the sermon (Kutbah) is sunnah.

9. To return early after prayers by a different route and do the sacrifice (Qurbani).

10. To distribute the meat of the sacrifice among the poor, friends, relatives and neighbours and also to cook and eat the meat of sacrifice.

The Supplication of Sacrifice

Lay down the animal parallel with the direction of the Qibla and utter the following prayer first:

Behold I have turned my face earnestly towards Him Who originated the heavens and the earth and I am not of polytheists. Behold, my salat, mine offering, my living and mine dying are all for Allah, Lord of the worlds. No partners hath He, concerning this I have been bidden and I am of the Muslims O Allah! (I offer this) to you and You gave it to me.

After reciting this prayers, Say

?Bismillahi Allahu Akbar?. (In the name of Allah Who is Great) and cut the throat of the animal with a sharp-edged knife. Having performed the slaughter, read this prayer:

?Allah! Accept this sacrifice offered by me as Thou accepted the sacrifice offered by Thy friend Abraham and that offered by Thy love one Muhammad. May Peace and blessings descend upon both.?

Although it is permissible to let someone else perform the slaughter of your sacrificial animal, yet it is better if you perform this act with your own hands. While you perform the slaughter, try to think and feel in the same way as you express through the words you utter at the time of sacrifising the animal i.e all that we have got belongs to Allah and it is all to be spent in His way only. The act of sacrificing the animal in His name is in submission to His will and if ever required we shall readily sacrifice even our own life in the way of Allah and shall be grateful to Him that He conferred upon us the honour of martydom by affording us an opportunity to shed our blood in His name.

The Concept of Combined Qurbani

The concept of combined Qurbani has become very popular in Mumbai as it is eco-friendly, less expensive and the meat is distributed to the poor Muslims in the hinterland

M. H. Lakdawala

Environment-friendly Id-ul-Zuha or Bakrid- ever heard of that? What does Bakrid have to do with the environment? Since the last couple of years, Muslims of Mumbai are discovering the benefit of environmental-friendly Bakrid.

Due to the urban lifestyle and lack of adequate space, sacrificing the animal and disposing off the related waste is the major problem faced every year. Due to lack of proper waste disposal, an epidemic broke out in the Muslim dominated localities in Mumbai in the past. Dr Asad Mirza, a general practitioner in the Muslim-dominated Bhendi Bazar area in South Mumbai reveals that every year, after Bakrid, there is atleast 30 to 35 per cent rise in the cases of diseases such as diarrhea, typhoid and malaria. ? The reason is not far to seek.