As the new hijrah year starts

Today Saturday October 17, 2015 is the fourth day in the new Islamic year, the first day of the 1437th year after the historic migration (hijrah in Arabic) of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in 622 AD from his birthplace, Makkah, to the hospitable city of Madinah. The year of this migration, 622 AD, marked the beginning of the hijrah calendar which was introduced in Islam by Khalifah Umar bn al-Khattab. While the Gregorian or the calendar system of the Christian Era is illustrated with ‘BC’ meaning ‘Before (the birth of) Christ’ or ‘AD’ meaning ‘After Death (of Christ),’ the Islamic calendar system is, for ease of reference, identified with ‘AH’ meaning ‘After (the year of) Hijrah’ (in 622 AD); which is regarded as the first year in the Islamic lunar calendar.
In a statement issued and signed in Kaduna by Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) wishes the entire Muslim Ummah a prosperous year. Dr. Khalid who is JNI’s Secretary-General, further urged Muslims in Nigeria to be God-fearing, steadfast and law-abiding in all that they do; cautioning them against New Year celebrations that are repugnant to Islamic tenets.
In spite of all the challenges confronting us as a nation, community, family, or as individuals, we yet owe gratitude to Allah (SWT) for keeping us alive. Many that saw the beginning of last year (1436AH) did not live to witness the close of it. Even among those who, by Allah’s grace, are alive to see the beginning of 1437AH, not all are in good health. It is thus a privilege that we are alive. Let us therefore consider this privilege as a respite for us to repent from our sins and strive to be righteous servants of Allah (SWT), avoiding any thoughts, speeches or actions that would render us ungrateful or rebellious.
The beginning of every hijrah year is a time to make or renew our resolutions. There are so many resolutions one can make as a leader or follower, as a husband or wife, as a father or mother, as a son or daughter, as an employer or employee, as a teacher or student, as a trader or customer, and above all as a believer. Let us, for instance, as an adherent of the Islamic religion resolve to shun all sinful acts (small or major), including telling lies, backbiting, gossiping, hypocrisy, sycophancy, theft, adultery, forgery, bribery and all forms of corrupt practices.
As Muslims, let us resolve to henceforth observe the daily obligatory prayers promptly and in congregation; as a leader, to be honest, just and transparent; as a follower, to be loyal and committed to the common good of the people; as a husband, to be caring and loving to one’s wife/wives; as a wife, to be obedient and respectful to one’s husband; as a teacher to be dedicated to one’s primary responsibility of teaching and moulding character of learners; as a student, to be hardworking and a persevering learner that never forgets whatever he was taught; as a father, never to derelict one’s God-given responsibilities; as a mother, never to pamper children in the name of love; and a son or daughter, to be better reflections of one’s parents.
Besides, this is also a period for us to check whether our al-Kafan (the white sheet for shrouding the dead) is still intact or has changed colour due to long period of storage. If anything has happened to it, now is the period to replace it.
Zakat is one of the five fundamental principles of Islam and therefore obligatory on Muslims (male or female, adult or minor) whose wealth of crops, livestock or cash reaches an amount that attracts Zakkat, which is called Nisab in Islamic literature. While the Nisab for crops and livestock is fixed, the value of the Zakkat payable on cash is relative to the prevailing price of gold (dinar) at the international market at the time of paying the Zakkat. This is why the Nisab of cash is worked out at the beginning of every Islamic lunar calendar for use in that year by Muslims.
According to figures recently released by the Society for the Propagation of Islam (in Nigeria), the minimum taxable amount of money (Nisab) upon which two and a half percent is payable as Zakkat in the year 1437AH is put at N664,944.00 which is the current cost of 20 pieces of dinar. The minimum amount of money payable as dowry as well as the least theft of property that can attract amputation of hand in the year 1437AH is N8,312.00 which is the cost of a quarter of a gold (rub’u dinar). The sum of N33, 247,200.00 (which is the value of 1,000 dinar) is the blood-money (diyyah) payable for manslaughter.
Observing voluntary fast on the 9th (Tasu’a) and 10th (Ashura) day of the New Islamic Year is a prophetic tradition. Muslims are therefore encouraged to emulate the Prophet (SAW) in this worthy practice. This year’s Tasua and Ashura fall on Friday October 23, and Saturday October 24. Muslims who have the strength can observe the voluntary fast on the two days (Tasu’a and Ashura), or at least, on the Ashura day as Allah (SWT) does not place a burden on a soul greater than it has the capacity to bear.
While we pray that Allah (SWT) ends the spate of insurgency in parts of the country, we also pray that He (SWT) makes 1437AH a year of stability, peace and progress; a year that will open wide doors to employment opportunities for Nigerians; and a year in which Nigerians will witness increased access to the necessities of life, including healthcare, quality education, good roads, clean water, and uninterrupted electricity supply; ameeeeeeen.
Kullu Aamin Wa Antum Bi Khairin!
Happy New Year!