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Islamic Calendar - Shawwal
Shawwal is the tenth month of the Islamic calendar.
'Id al Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal after the end of Ramadan.
Incidently, the first ever Salah (Prayers) of ‘Id ul Fitr (Festival of Breaking Fast ) was offered on the first of Shawwal of the year 2 H (Hijrah) (March 623 CE).
The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم recommended six days of Nafl (Extra Obligatory) fasting in the month of Shawwal.
Abu Ayyub al-Ansari رضي الله عنه reported Allah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم as saying: He who observed the fast of Ramadan and then followed it with six (fasts) of Shawwal, it would be as if he fasted perpetually.
Muslim,
Book 6, Hadith 2614 |
Each month of Islamic calendar (which follows the lunar cycle), begin after the sighting of new moon.
Although for convenience in official business, most Islamic countries publish a pre--calculated calendar; yet beginning of Ramadan, celebration of 'Id al Fitr, and the date of Hajj depend solely on sighting of moon.
Narrated Ibn 'Umar رضي الله عنه: I heard Allah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم saying, "When you see the crescent (of the month of Ramadan), start fasting, and when you see the crescent (of the month of Shawwal), stop fasting; and if the sky is overcast (and you can't see It) then regard the crescent (month) of Ramadan (as of 30 days)".
Bukhari, Book 31, Hadith 124
Abu Hurayra رضي الله عنهreported Allah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم as saying: Whenever you sight the new moon (of the month of Ramadan) observe fast. and when you sight it (the new moon of Shawwal) break it, and if the sky is cloudy for you, then observe fast for thirty days.
Muslim,
Book 6, Hadith 2378 |
Zakah was also made obligatory for well to do Muslims in the month of Shawwal of the year 2 H (Hijrah) (623 CE). Zakah (Poor Due Charity) made obligatory for well-to-do Muslims to share their wealth with the poor and the needy.
Anyone who has about 2 oz (approximately 90 gms) (20 Mithqal) of gold or its equivalent in his or her possession for one lunar year (Approximately 355 days) must pay 2.5% of its value as Zakah (Compulsory Charity).
The Messenger had married 'A"ishah bin Abu Bakr رضى الله عنها in the month of Shawwal.
'A"ishah رضى الله عنها reported: Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم contracted marriage with me in Shawwal and took me to his house as a bride during Shawwal. And who among the wives of Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم was dearer to him than I, and 'A"ishah رضى الله عنها liked that the women (of her family) should enter the houses as brides during the month of Shawwal.
Muslim, Book 8, Hadith 3312 |
Ghazwah (Expedition led by the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم) of Banu Qainuqa” took place on the 15 th day of Shawwal of the year 2 H (Hijrah) (623 CE).
This Jewish tribe broke pact with Muslims and declared war on Muslims. When the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم warned them to learn from the battle of Badr, where a handfull of ill-equipped Muslims had decisively defeated the Quraysh of Makkah, who were three times in number and were ready for war. People of Banu Qainuqa” advised the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم not to take them as the Quraysh – and threatened to teach a lesson to Muslims. They shut themselves in their fort near Madinah. Muslims laid a siege for 15 days. ‘Abdullah ibn Ubayy, the leader of Munafiqun (Hypocrites) brokered peace. The 700 strong Jewish community of Banu Qainuqa” migrated out of Madinah.
On the 15th of Shawwal of the year 3 H (Hijrah) (624 AD), second major battle,
Ghazwah (Expedition led by the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم) of Uhud took place. About a thousand Muslims faced almost three thousand Quraysh near the mountain of Uhud. A little before the battle, a large number of Munafiqun (Hypocrites) deserted the Muslim army under the leadership of ‘Abdullah bin Ubayy.
The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم was injured in this battle. Muslims recorded initial gains and almost defeated the Quraysh, but when Muslims deserted their posts disobeying the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم , to participate in gathering Mal Ghanimah (War Trophies), the Quraysh took advantage and almost defeated the Muslims. Hamzah ibn ‘Abdul Muttalib رضي الله عنه became Shahid (Martyr). Mus’ab bin ‘Umayr رضي الله عنه , flag-bearer of Muslims, and many other prominent Sahabah (Companions of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم ) also achieved Shahadah (Martyrdom).
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