“Not even Prophet Muhammad used Hijri calendar”— Mudir Markaz justifies celebration of New Year

By Akeem Alao

Sheikh Habeeb Abdullahi Al-Ilory, the proprietor of Markaz Arabic and Islamic Training Institute, Agege, has justified the celebration of the New Year by the Muslims.

The seasoned Islamic scholar decried the rate at which some groups of scholars forbid Muslims from participating in the celebration, tagging it “a celebration of a Jewish idol”.

According to the Mudir, there is no authentic Hadith to prove that celebrating the New Year is forbidden.

“There is no substantial proof to support their condemnation of the celebration,” Mudir said.

While stating this in one of his lectures, Mudir urged the Muslim ummah to desist from acts that are inimical to the growth of Islam, stressing religious tolerance.

In the said video which is attached to this story, Mudir referenced a New Year celebration in 2020 in a predominantly Muslim country where “bangers” were detonated to herald and welcome the new year, stating that peace— as represented by Islam— must be promoted.

Watch the video below

“Not Hijri calendar was used during the period of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The people of that period had what they used to count months.”

“They didn’t use Muharram to begin their new year. It was later after the death of Muhammad that the new Hijri calendar was adopted,” Mudir stated.

The Islamic calendar for 2022 is based on the moon. Also known as the Hijri Calendar 1443, it started after the Hijrah of the Prophet (PBUH) to Madina.

The beginning of each month is contingent on the visibility of the moon at the end of the previous month. Once the moon is sighted, the new month commences. Each month starts with a new lunar cycle. Hence, the Muslim Calendar gives only a tentative overview of the upcoming Islamic dates as the start of each month is subject to the sighting of the moon.

The Islamic calendar consists of 12 months similar to the Gregorian calendar. However, it consists of 354-355 days unlike the 365-366 days in the regular calendar.

The Islamic New Year starts with Muharram followed by Safar, Rabi al-awwal, Rabi al-Thani, Jumada al-awwal, Jumada al-Thani, Rajab, Shaban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhul Qadah and Dhul Hijjah.