As the Islamic year 1431AH begins
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- Category: Philosofaith
- Written by M. U. Ndagi
- Hits: 1019
The new Islamic year 1431AH is three days old today, Thursday December 17 2009 being the first day of the first month (Muharram) of the year. Indeed, we have every cause to be thankful to Allah (SWT) regardless of the socio-economic and political situations in which we find ourselves. At least, we are alive. Some of us with whom the previous year began did not live to witness the beginning of this New Year. Therefore, those of us that are alive today should seize the opportunity of the respite given by Allah (SWT) to repent from our sins, ask Allah (SWT) for the forgiveness of our misdeeds and seek His divine guidance in all matters.
The fact that we are not at war is one of Allah’s inexhaustible mercies upon us. We had uninterrupted rains and a bumper harvest of crops. Life or living may though not have been easy for many Nigerians in the last 365 days; yet, Allah (SWT) deserves all praise. Health, which is enormous wealth that many of us enjoy without appreciating suffices a reason for us to give gratitude to our creator. There are several other reasons why we should give glory to Allah (SWT). Many find it easier to recollect sad moments than to remember Allah’s blessings. Let us thank Allah for everything. Allah (SWT) affirms in Qur’an 14:7 “…if ye are grateful, I will add more (favours) unto you…”.
The preceding year, 1430AH, was not without unpalatable events some of which left indelible marks on the hearts of many. The insurgence of the Boko Haram ideological sect in some northern states of Nigeria as well as the massacre of lives and property that came with it was a terrible incident many Nigerians would hate to remember. Other unfortunate happenings of 1430AH include extra-judicial killings by the police, incessant cases of kidnap and ritual killings in nearly all parts of the country. The strike action by staff of Nigerian universities that lasted for four months was no doubt a devastating tragedy which negative effect would continue to be felt for the next few years. Ridiculously, it was during the period of the strike under reference that President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua left Nigeria to attend the commissioning of a modern university of science and technology in Saudi Arabia. Amazingly too, the country’s minister of education was so untouched by the strike action that he found the strike period most convenient to celebrate the silver jubilee anniversary of his wedding.
It is evident from prevailing circumstances in the country that many Nigerians would carry over some weighty but lingering burdens in to the New Islamic Year. This may include inefficient health care delivery system, an artificially surviving power sector, a failed education system and a deadly state of Nigerian roads. Allah (SWT) in His wisdom and mercy, we believe, knows better when and how to bestow the reins of power in the hands of those who would absolutely be prepared to make sacrifices in order to salvage Nigerians from the current mess of political quagmire, social aberrations, economic quandary, cultural dislocation, religious manipulation and judicial robbery.
The beginning of a new hijrah year similarly marks the beginning of a new fiscal year in Islam. It is therefore important for us as Muslims to get acquainted with the figures of monetary zakkat worked out in accordance with the current value of the naira. According to figures recently released by the Timing Chapter Committee, the minimum taxable amount of money (called nisab in Arabic) for the year 1431AH is put at N373, 601.00 only, which in essence is the cost of 20 pieces of gold (dinar) at the international market. The value of two and a half percent of this amount is payable as zakkat. For this year too, the minimum amount of money payable as dowry in order to contract a marriage, which should be the cost of a quarter of gold is N4, 670.00 only. The sum of N18, 679, 843.00 only is payable as blood-money (diyyah) for manslaughter.
The sunnah of the prophet (SAW) recommends that believers, who can, should observe voluntary fast on the 9th (Tasu’a) and 10th (‘Ashura) of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic year. Accepting that today is the third day of Muharram, tasu’a and ‘ashura shall be on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th December, 2009 respectively. Let us consider the beginning of yet another year as a reminder that we are less a year closer to our graves. Let us all resolve to repent from our wrong deeds, big and small. Let us disown corruption, denounce injustice and shun all actions that are tantamount to betrayal, hatred, malice, intolerance, envy, impatience, ingratitude, arrogance or pride. O Allah! Accept our repentances and forgive our acts of unrighteousness; Give us the ability and the capacity to good at all times and in all places. Let our happiest moment be the moment we meet you. Give us refuge against all evils, human and satanic, amin. Happy New Islamic Year!
Articles
As the Islamic year 1431AH begins
Category: Philosofaith Written by M. U. Ndagi Hits: 1019
The new Islamic year 1431AH is three days old today, Thursday December 17 2009 being the first day of the first month (Muharram) of the year. Indeed, we have every cause to be thankful to Allah (SWT) regardless of the socio-economic and political situations in which we find ourselves. At least, we are alive. Some of us with whom the previous year began did not live to witness the beginning of this New Year. Therefore, those of us that are alive today should seize the opportunity of the respite given by Allah (SWT) to repent from our sins, ask Allah (SWT) for the forgiveness of our misdeeds and seek His divine guidance in all matters.
The fact that we are not at war is one of Allah’s inexhaustible mercies upon us. We had uninterrupted rains and a bumper harvest of crops. Life or living may though not have been easy for many Nigerians in the last 365 days; yet, Allah (SWT) deserves all praise. Health, which is enormous wealth that many of us enjoy without appreciating suffices a reason for us to give gratitude to our creator. There are several other reasons why we should give glory to Allah (SWT). Many find it easier to recollect sad moments than to remember Allah’s blessings. Let us thank Allah for everything. Allah (SWT) affirms in Qur’an 14:7 “…if ye are grateful, I will add more (favours) unto you…”.
The preceding year, 1430AH, was not without unpalatable events some of which left indelible marks on the hearts of many. The insurgence of the Boko Haram ideological sect in some northern states of Nigeria as well as the massacre of lives and property that came with it was a terrible incident many Nigerians would hate to remember. Other unfortunate happenings of 1430AH include extra-judicial killings by the police, incessant cases of kidnap and ritual killings in nearly all parts of the country. The strike action by staff of Nigerian universities that lasted for four months was no doubt a devastating tragedy which negative effect would continue to be felt for the next few years. Ridiculously, it was during the period of the strike under reference that President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua left Nigeria to attend the commissioning of a modern university of science and technology in Saudi Arabia. Amazingly too, the country’s minister of education was so untouched by the strike action that he found the strike period most convenient to celebrate the silver jubilee anniversary of his wedding.
It is evident from prevailing circumstances in the country that many Nigerians would carry over some weighty but lingering burdens in to the New Islamic Year. This may include inefficient health care delivery system, an artificially surviving power sector, a failed education system and a deadly state of Nigerian roads. Allah (SWT) in His wisdom and mercy, we believe, knows better when and how to bestow the reins of power in the hands of those who would absolutely be prepared to make sacrifices in order to salvage Nigerians from the current mess of political quagmire, social aberrations, economic quandary, cultural dislocation, religious manipulation and judicial robbery.
The beginning of a new hijrah year similarly marks the beginning of a new fiscal year in Islam. It is therefore important for us as Muslims to get acquainted with the figures of monetary zakkat worked out in accordance with the current value of the naira. According to figures recently released by the Timing Chapter Committee, the minimum taxable amount of money (called nisab in Arabic) for the year 1431AH is put at N373, 601.00 only, which in essence is the cost of 20 pieces of gold (dinar) at the international market. The value of two and a half percent of this amount is payable as zakkat. For this year too, the minimum amount of money payable as dowry in order to contract a marriage, which should be the cost of a quarter of gold is N4, 670.00 only. The sum of N18, 679, 843.00 only is payable as blood-money (diyyah) for manslaughter.
The sunnah of the prophet (SAW) recommends that believers, who can, should observe voluntary fast on the 9th (Tasu’a) and 10th (‘Ashura) of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic year. Accepting that today is the third day of Muharram, tasu’a and ‘ashura shall be on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th December, 2009 respectively. Let us consider the beginning of yet another year as a reminder that we are less a year closer to our graves. Let us all resolve to repent from our wrong deeds, big and small. Let us disown corruption, denounce injustice and shun all actions that are tantamount to betrayal, hatred, malice, intolerance, envy, impatience, ingratitude, arrogance or pride. O Allah! Accept our repentances and forgive our acts of unrighteousness; Give us the ability and the capacity to good at all times and in all places. Let our happiest moment be the moment we meet you. Give us refuge against all evils, human and satanic, amin. Happy New Islamic Year!