Intercalation of the Year (Nasīʾ) in Islam
Definition
Nasīʾ (Arabic: النسيء; Turkish: Nesîʿ) refers to the practice of intercalating or postponing one of the sacred months observed in the Islamic calendrical system, particularly in pre-Islamic Arabia. This custom allowed for the shifting of the sacred status from one month to another, thereby altering the months dedicated to peace and religious observance.
Etymology
The term “Nasīʾ” is derived from the Arabic root ن-س-أ (n-s-ʾ), which generally means “to defer” or “to postpone.”
Historical Context
In pre-Islamic Arabia, the calendar was predominantly lunar, with twelve months determined by the phases of the moon. Out of these twelve, four months were considered sacred: Rajab, Dhu al-Qa’dah, Dhu al-Hijjah, and Muharram. During these months, warfare was forbidden to ensure peace and security for trade and pilgrimage.
However, to align agricultural and commercial activities with the solar year, which was important for seasonality, the Arabs sometimes postponed the sacred month and replaced it with another, typically moving the sanctity of one month to the next. This practice is known as Nasīʾ. This system was manipulated to serve the interests of tribal warfare and trading practices.
Abolishment by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
The custom of Nasīʾ was abolished by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) during his farewell pilgrimage in the 10th year of the Hijri calendar (A.H.). The Qur’an explicitly condemns this practice in Surah At-Tawbah (9:36-37):
<p>“Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them. And fight against the disbelievers collectively as they fight against you collectively. And know that Allah is with the righteous [who fear Him].</p> <p>Indeed, the postponing [of restriction within sacred months] is an increase in disbelief by which those who have disbelieved are led [further] astray. They make it lawful one year and unlawful another year to correspond to the number made unlawful by Allah and [thus] make lawful what Allah has made unlawful. Made pleasing to them is the evil of their deeds; and Allah does not guide the disbelieving people.”</p>
Significance
By abolishing Nasīʾ, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) reinforced the sanctity and immutability of the Islamic lunar calendar, ensuring that the sacred months remained fixed and not subject to human manipulation. This also emphasized the unity and consistency in religious observance across the Muslim community.
Books for Further Studies
- “The Origins of the Islamic State” by Philip Hitti
- Offers insights into the historical contexts that led to such practices and their abolishment.
- “Islamic Calendar: The Ins-and-Outs” by Muzaffar Iqbal
- Provides a deeper understanding of the Islamic lunar calendar and its significance.
- “The Life of Muhammad” by Ibn Ishaq
- A classical biography that includes details on the Prophet’s actions against Nasīʾ and other pre-Islamic practices.
Takeaways
- Nasīʾ was a pre-Islamic practice of altering the months to gain secular advantages.
- It was abolished by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to maintain the sanctity of the Islamic calendar.
- This act was deeply rooted in Qur’anic revelations and aimed to eliminate tribal manipulations over timekeeping and religious observance.
Conclusion
The practice of Nasīʾ reflects the dynamic nature of pre-Islamic Arab society and highlights the transformative impact of Islamic principles on societal norms. The abolition of this custom marked a significant shift towards a unified and consistent religious observance, underscoring the integrity of the sacred months as ordained in the Qur’an.
