Happy New Hijrah Year, 1443AH

Today is the Muslim New Year in Nigeria; the beginning of the year 1443 after hijrah (AH). The President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, after considering the report of the National Moon Sighting Committee, declared today Tuesday, August 10, 2021, as the first day of the Muslim New Year. In a statement signed by the NSCIA’s Director of Administration, Arc. Zubairu Haruna Usman-Ugwu, the Sultan wished all Muslims a happy new year.

It would be recalled that the Sultan had earlier directed Muslims in the country to look out for the new moon of Muharram (the first month in the Muslim year) on Sunday August 8, 2021 which was the 29th day of Dhul Hajj, the 12th month in the Muslim calendar. The crescent of Muharram was not sighted and yesterday Monday 30th Dhul Hajj became the last day of the Muslim year 1442AH.

Today, marks 1,443 years after the historic migration of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him (PBUH) from Makkah, his birthplace, to Madinah, the second holiest city of Islam. That historic relocation, which took place in 622 Christian Era (CE) is referred to as Hijrah. The Islamic calendar, which is purely based on lunar cycles, was introduced in 638CE by Umar bn Al-Khattab (AS), the second Caliph of Islam and a close companion of the Prophet (PBUH).

After due consultations between Caliph Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) and his advisers, it was agreed that the most appropriate starting point for the Islamic calendar was the year in which the Hijrah took place, 622CE. The Islamic calendar is usually abbreviated as ‘AH’, meaning ‘After Hijrah’. The Hijrah is the central historical event of early Islam which led to the foundation of the first Muslim city-state and a turning point in Islamic and world history.

In spite of all our critical challenges including insecurity as evidenced by the frightening spate of banditry and kidnapping in parts of the country, a dwindling economy, unemployment and poverty, Nigerians yet have a cause to be grateful to Allah (SWT)for keeping the country together as one nation. Steady rainfall in most parts of the country is another of Allah’s benevolence that should be appreciated. The beginning of a new Hijrah year should also be a period for sober reflections. Besides thanking Allah for His mercies, Muslims are encouraged to take advantage of this sacred season to renew their covenant with their creator by sincerely resolving to abandon everything evil so that virtue, not vice, becomes the only source from which their words and deeds emerge. This is a necessary criterion for seeking any divine intervention in the trials the country is passing through as a developing nation.

Before corruption and other social evils became the rule rather than the exception, Nigeria was one country that citizens and foreigners alike cherished to live in. Allah states in the Qur’an 8:53 that He “will never change the grace which He has bestowed on a people until they change what is in their (own) souls.” Many changed from being patriotic, God-fearing, honest and altruistic citizens and became corrupt, wicked, scandalous and selfish individuals. The national misfortunes Nigerians are collectively experiencing today are plausibly the result of long years of political, socio-economic and cultural aberrations. We are failing in various attempts to return the country to its glorious past because a huge segment of the country’s population has consciously refused to change from evil to righteousness.

Given the deep-rooted mutual mistrust among followers of different religions in the country, we call on Muslim scholars and leaders to use this occasion to preach to their followers to shun bigotry and hate speech; urging them to ignore things that seek to divide us. The new Hijrah year should be marked with prayers for leaders at all levels; asking Allah to give them the knowledge, wisdom and willpower to make Nigeria a peaceful, united and progressive country.

Happy New Hijrah Year!