October 15 Muslims celebrate the beginning of New Year 1437 according to Hijri
The Islamic New Year in 2015 beginson October 15, and will be the 1437th calendar year.
The Islamic Hijri calendar dates back to July 16, 622 AD. On this day, according to Quran, Prophet Muhammad and the first Muslims moved from the holy city of Mecca to another Islamic holy city of Medina, which is located in the western part of the Arabian peninsula.
Therefore, on the first day of the new year, Muslims around the world must read the Quran in mosques along with sermons about the move of the great prophet Muhammad.
The Hijri calendar is based on annual lunar cycle. The Islamic calendar is basessolely on the change of lunar phases. Therefore, it is a purely lunar calendar. Twelve lunar months make up a lunar that year by approximate calculations comprises 354 days. Since the true length of a lunar month is not 29.5 days, but a little more, and the duration of the lunar year is not 354 days, but 354.367 days.
Since this is not an integer, the inevitable problem of leap years arises, i.e. the alternation of simple years, comprising 354 days with the extended years comprising 355 days.
Muslim year is not linked to the seasons,the months migrate through seasons, as a result of which the beginning of the year, for example, can occur in the summer months, but after a while - in winter.
The first month of Muharram is sacred or “prohibited”in Arabic languageduring which Allah prohibits any war, conflict and vendetta. How the Muslim spends the month of Muharram will determine his entire coming year. According to the Quran, Muharram is a time for worship and repentance.
The first month of the new year on Hijri calendar is the time of fasting compulsory for all Muslims. The things that can distract from repentance and service to Allah are forbidden. However, it should be noted that all these prohibitions are valid only until sunset. Fasting begins again with the rise of a new day.
The Islamic New Year obliges Muslims to put seven products on a festive table with the names beginning with the Arabic letter Shin:
Sabzeh - lentil sprouts or sprouted wheat (after 13 days they are to be thrown into the river)
Samana – pudding with sprouted wheat with sugar (symbolizing new life)
Seeb - apple - symbolizing beauty and health
Sendzhed - dried fruit of lotus (symbolizing love)
Seer - healing garlic
Somāq - red berries(symbol of victory of good over evil)
Serkeh - vinegar (personification of patience and wisdom)
