New Year's Celebration and Muslim Society
✍🏻 Muhammad Aadil Arariavi
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Respected Readers, Islam teaches a person the value of time, self-reflection, and contemplation on the purpose of life. But alas, today Muslims, influenced by the culture and civilization of others, are adopting practices that are not only against Islamic values but also lead them towards negligence and deviation. The various rituals and ceremonies celebrated on the occasion of the New Year are a clear example of this intellectual deviation, which needs serious consideration. Our situation is such that as time passes, our life is decreasing, and we are getting closer to death. But instead of reflecting on this reality and holding ourselves accountable, we engage in celebrations. We think that a year has been added to our age, whereas the reality is quite the opposite, i.e., one year has been reduced from our allotted lifespan. Despite this, we celebrate birthdays, imitating others by cutting cakes and performing many rituals that have no connection to religion. The same situation is seen on the occasion of the New Year. Several days before January 1st, congratulatory messages, cards, and verbally saying "Happy New Year" become common. Preparations for welcoming the New Year begin everywhere. On the occasion of the New Year's celebration, cities and towns are decorated with colorful lights and lamps. People eagerly wait for midnight on December 31st, and as soon as the clock strikes twelve, they congratulate each other, cut cakes, fireworks begin, and the sounds of "Happy New Year" are heard everywhere. Special programs are organized at various nightclubs and recreational places where only couples are allowed to enter. As a result of this mindset, the culture of "boyfriend" and "girlfriend" is flourishing. Bookings for these events are made months in advance, where there is complete arrangement of alcohol, dancing, singing, and obscenity because their entertainment depends mostly on two things: alcohol and women.
Due to participation in such programs, many young girls are moving away from religion and becoming victims of predatory people. Then a time comes when they get caught in the web of so-called love and lose their religion as well. For this purpose, some sectarian organizations are working in an organized manner, where non-Muslim youths entice and mislead Muslim girls in various ways. These New Year's celebrations prove especially beneficial for them.
It is a matter of regret that today many Muslims also wait for the New Year like non-Muslims and eagerly await December 31st. Muslims, considering their religious values and traditions inferior, have started celebrating the New Year. On January 1st, people leave cities and villages and organize collective feasts in parks, forests, and deserted places. Along with eating and drinking, these events include drinking alcohol, fireworks, and gatherings of dance and music. Following the blind imitation of Western culture, young girls also participate in these picnics with men. In reality, such picnics are nothing but fun and frolic, and most of the things included in them are against Islamic teachings. The scene of fireworks on the occasion of the New Year is also very frightening. Fireworks are done so much in homes, streets, intersections, gatherings, and public roads that accidents occur everywhere. It is extremely sad to see Muslims also involved in these scenes, that the followers of the religion of Muhammad (peace be upon him) are seen shoulder to shoulder with the disbelievers in imitating them.
O Allah, Lord of the Worlds, keep us steadfast on guidance and bless our time, and protect us all completely from unnecessary innovations and rituals. Amen, O Lord of the Worlds.