MUHARRAM NIGHT

The first night of the month of Muharram is the Muslims’ new year’s night. Muharram is the first month of the Islamic year. The first day of Muharram is the first day of the Muslims’ new year, that is, of the Hijrî year (A.H.). Disbelievers celebrate Christmas on the first night of January, which is their new year’s day. They commit the acts of disbelief commanded by the Christian religion. They worship on that night. And Muslims, too, on their new year’s night and day, congratulate one another by shaking hands (in a manner termed musâfaha), by exchanging letters (or by calling one another). They visit one another, give presents to one another. They celebrate the New Year with magazines and newspapers. They send their prayers so that the New Year will be beneficial and prosperous for them and for all Muslims. They visit their parents and scholars at their homes and get their benedictions. On that day, they wear new clothes as if it were a day of ’Iyd. They give alms to the poor.