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Notice: I am looking for someone of Islamic faith to assist me in these holiday descriptions. I try very hard to be as authoritative as possible so I´m looking for reliable sources, not hearsay. If you are interested, please contact me.
Muharram
Which Day: first day of Muharram
Earlierst observance: 622 a.d.
Demographics: New Year A holiday in many countries
Ashura
Which day: 10th of Muharram
Earliest observance 680 CE
Demographics
Muharram is one of four sacred months that Allah has described in the Qur'an. This is the first month of the Islamic year. Ashura, the 10th day of the month of Muharram, is the festival of Muharram that celebrates the martyrdom of Hazat Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet. On this day Allah gave his blessings and bounties to his many prophets and delivered them from their enemies. During this month, while on a journey, the forces of Yazid, the ruler at that time, surrounded Hussain, his family, and his followers. During their capture they were deprived food, water and many were killed. Hussain and his followers emerged victorious in a battle. The cost of his victory was heavy as a period of great suffering, which ended on the tenth day for the martyrs, fell upon the friends and family members who were taken captive. This festival is traditionally celebrated for 10 days in the beginning of Muharram. It is desirable for Muslims to fast on the 9th and 10th of Ashura, but if that is not possible, than one should fast on the 10th. Giving to charity, taking a bath, visiting the sick and establishing friendly ties with one's enemies are all activities that are recommended on the day of Ashura.
Nisf-Sha'ban
Which day: 14th of Sha'ban (the eighth month)
This is a sacred night of repentance in preparation for Ramadan.
Ramadan
Which day:Ninth month of the Islamic Calendar.
Earliest Celebrate: 624 CE
Demographics: 600,000 in Canada, 6 million in United States and 1.6 billion World wide
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar in which Muslims fast (sawm, which means to refrain,) during the day, from sunup to sundown, for the entire month of Ramadan. They fast in order to relieve their sins and to remember that the basic belief is God, and not just materialistic things of the world, supports life and the founding of the Koran.
The revolution from God to Prophet Muhammad would eventually become the Qur'an in 610 CE and the fast of Ramada would not first be celebrated until 624 CE and obligations to fast is explained in the second chapter of the Qur'an.
During Ramadan, Muslims, who are physically able, must refrain from food, drinks and sexual activity from dawn to sunset. The obligation of fasting is mandatory on a person who has fulfilled these requirements: He or she must be a Muslim, sane, must have reached puberty, must be healthy, and not in a state of travel; and for women, they must be in a state of purity (clean from menstruation and post childbirth bleeding). If a person fulfills the above prerequisites, fasting becomes valid and mandatory.
Depending on the season, fasting may require either very long or very short days. Before dawn, during the day, and during night hours, Muslims pray. At night, they prepare special nutritional meals and spend time with friends and family. The requirements of the fast can be harsh, especially when abstaining from water during the hot summer months. Westerners must be careful not to eat, drink, or smoke in the presence of Muslims during the prescribed hours of fasting. The Muslim law requires adherence to the fast in public.
Devout adherents remember their past sins and they express gratitude to Allah for his guidance. Many read through the entire Qur'an during this month.
The traditional Arabic greeting for Ramadan is "Ramadan Mubarak" meaning "may God give you a blessed month." Response is "Ramadan Karim," meaning, "May God give you a generous month."
Laylat al-Qadr
Which day: Last ten days of Ramadan
Earliest Observance: 610 CE
This night is known as the ‘Night of Power, and commemorates the first revelation of the Qur'an. The Prophet Muhammad was forty years old when he received the revelation from Allah in 610 CE. This observance takes place during the last ten days of Ramadan because no one can be positive for sure on what night the Prophet first received Allah'' Revelations. Sometimes during this event, devout Muslims seclude themselves in a mosque, leaving only when necessary.
Jum'at al-Wada'
Which day: The last Friday of Ramadan.
This day is known as 'Farewell Friday,' as it is the last Friday of the month of Ramadan. Though this day is not a strict festival, many Muslims consider it a special day for rejoicing.
'Eid-al-Fitr
Which Day: Three days following the end of Ramadan, 1st day of Shawal.
Earliest Celebrate:
Demographics:
This celebration marks an end to Ramadan and is known as the Festival of Fast-Breaking. Eid, in fact, means celebration. The Islamic Calendar follows the moon and so each year, the dates are shifted of all celebrations by about eleven days in the normal calendar. Eid-al-Fitr celebrates the good fortunes in Muslims' lives including Allah's bounty, their friends, and their family. On the morning of Eid, everyone gets up early to go to a prayer service. This session starts about 80 minutes after sunrise and is held in mosques or large open areas like football fields. This joyous holiday has strong religious importance and is similar to Christmas in its celebration as Muslims dress in holiday attire and visit with friends and family. In some places children are given gifts or money by their parents and relatives. For this occasion there are special "taxes" that everyone must pay. These taxes are donations such as food or money to those less fortunate so that everyone may have something to be thankful for. These donations are not mandatory, but usually everyone in the family has something to offer. It is also forbidden to fast during this time as it is designated a time of relaxation.
Eid al-Adha
Which Day: 10 Dhu al Hijja (12/10)
Two to three months after Ramadan
Earliest observance
The Festival of Sacrifice concludes the act of pilgrimage. It usually occurs two to three months after Ramadan. This day is theculmination of the Hajj or holy pilgrimage and is commonly a four day holiday. Muslims offer sheep, goats, and camels in a pattern after Abraham's offering of his son Ismail to God. The poor and needy receive the meat. Muslims observe these two festivals (Day of Hajj and Eid al-Adha) whether on pilgrimage or not.
Islam considers Ismail the rightful heir, the son to be sacrificed (in the Judeo-Christian tradition, Abraham's second son Isaac, is the true heir, the son to be sacrificed).
Traditional Arabic greeting for this day is "Eid Mabarak," meaning, "may God make it a blessed feast".
Mawlid al-Nabi
Which day: 12th day of Rabi al-Awwal
Earliest Observance: 13th century
Mawlid al-Nabi is the anniversary of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam. For many Muslims, this day ranks third in importance, after ‘Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Muhammad was born about 570 CE and died in 632 CE. During his life, he established Islam as a religion and, in doing so, replaced tribal loyalty with equality among all Muslims.
Muhammad received two visions of the angel Gabriel in his lifetime. During the first vision, Gabriel called him into service as a prophet. The second time Gabriel told Muhammad to "magnify the Lord."
Muhammad then began to preach in Mecca, his hometown. Some people were opposed to such preachings and forced him to flee to Yathrib in 622 CE. This 200-mile journey is called the Hagira. The Muslim calendar began on this event.
Muhammad's Birthday was first celebrated in the thirteenth century with a month of celebration. Today his birthday is remembered with a sermon, recitation of litanies, honoring of religious dignitaries, gift giving, and a feast. The festival is celebrated in many parts of the wold, but some conservative sects consider the celebration to be idolatrous.
Day of Hajj
Which day 9th day of the month of Dhul'Hihha
Earliest observance
Description: This day commemorates the concluding revelation to the Prophet at Mt. Arafat, a mountain 18 kilometers east of Mecca. All Muslims on Hajj attend a service on the plains in front of Mt. Arafat. | 