Wednesday July 19 is Hijri New Year’s Day 1445
On the occasion of the Hijri New Year 1445 corresponding to the Wednesday, July 19, 2023the French Council for Muslim Worship (CFCM) presents its dearest wishes for peace, happiness, health and prosperity to all of our fellow citizens.
The hegira refers to the emigration (hijra), around July 16, 622, of the Prophet Muhammad – Peace and Salvation be upon him – as well as his disciples, forced to leave Mecca for the city of Medina in the north of the Arabian Peninsula. .
This historic event reminds us every year of the great outpouring of solidarity and generosity that has enabled Meccan migrants to find, with their Medinan brothers and sisters, refuge, comfort and respect for their dignity. It also reminds us of the “Charter of Medina”, established by the Prophet Muhammad (PBSL) to build a fraternal society between the different components of the new Medina society, in particular between Christians, Jews and Muslims. By the terms of this charter, citizenship encompassed all other affiliations.
Although the reference date for paying one’s “Zakat Almâl” (compulsory alms paid to beneficiaries) may vary from one person to another depending on when one possessed the “Niçâb” (amount in beyond which, one becomes indebted for zakat), many Muslim scholars have authorized taking the day of the Hijri New Year as the reference date.
As a reminder, the Niçâb is the amount corresponding approximately to the value of 85 grams of pure gold (24 carats) or of 595 grams of pure silver according to the opinions of the different legal schools. The short of the two metals being variable throughout the year, the amount of Niçâb is also variable.
Having chosen to respect the different opinions of Muslim schools, the CFCM recalls the general principles and leaves everyone the possibility of referring to the religious opinion that corresponds to their choice in terms of jurisprudence.
If a person’s savings, on a lunar yearreaches the Niçâb, she must pay 2.5% (i.e. 1/40th) of the total amount of her savings, paying it in particular to the poorest.
The CFCM ardently hopes that on this occasion, the doors of hope in a better social, economic and ecological situation may open to our country and that the bonds of solidarity and fraternity may be consolidated there.
Paris, July 17, 2023
The French Council of Muslim Worship
