Nowruz, meaning “new day,” is a vibrant festival marking the Persian New Year, coinciding with the spring equinox. Rooted in ancient Zoroastrian traditions, this celebration transcends religious boundaries and holds a significant place in various cultures, including many within the Islamic world. Understanding “What Is Nowruz In Islam” requires exploring its historical journey, cultural adaptations, and the diverse perspectives within the Muslim faith regarding this ancient festival.
The Zoroastrian Roots of Nowruz
Nowruz originates from Zoroastrianism, one of the world’s oldest monotheistic religions, founded in ancient Persia. Though not explicitly mentioned in early Zoroastrian texts, its likely presence is suggested from the early millennium BCE. By the time of the Achaemenian dynasty (c. 559–330 BCE), historical accounts hint at Nowruz celebrations, possibly linked to figures like Cyrus the Great in Persepolis. These connections, while debated, suggest a long history predating Islam.
The festival’s essence within Zoroastrianism is deeply connected to the vernal equinox, symbolizing renewal and the beginning of spring. It is associated with Rapithwin, a Zoroastrian deity representing summer and noon, whose return at Nowruz signifies the victory of light over darkness, mirroring Zoroastrian dualistic cosmology. This joyful return of spring may also resonate with Zoroastrian eschatology, anticipating a future renewal of the world. For Parsi Zoroastrians in India today, Nowruz is a time for spiritual rejuvenation.
A beautifully arranged Haft-sīn table in Tehran, Iran, prepared for Nowruz 2022, showcasing the symbolic items of the Persian New Year.
Nowruz’s Journey into Islamic Culture
The Arab Muslim conquest of Persia in the 7th century CE marked a significant shift, but Nowruz, deeply ingrained in Persian culture, persisted. Despite the rise of Islam and the decline of Zoroastrian political power, Nowruz remained a vital civil holiday, celebrating the new year among the Persian populace. It continued to flourish under subsequent Persianate Islamic dynasties like the Samanids and Buyids, and later Turkic and Mongol rulers, spreading across Central Asia.
Muslim scholars, including the renowned Al-Bīrūnī and Omar Khayyam, documented Nowruz practices, indicating its widespread observance in Muslim societies. While some early Islamic figures initially opposed Nowruz due to its Zoroastrian origins, it gradually gained acceptance and even acquired Islamic interpretations.
Islamic Interpretations and Significance of Nowruz
Despite its pre-Islamic roots, Nowruz found its place within Islamic traditions, particularly among Shia Muslims. While some early Muslim caliphs and theologians initially forbade Nowruz celebrations, others legitimized it over time. Hadiths, traditions attributed to Prophet Muhammad, emerged, suggesting the Prophet’s acceptance of Nowruz gifts and blessings for the day.
One significant hadith, linked to JaÊ¿far al-á¹¢Ädiq, the sixth Shia Imam, elevates Nowruz by associating it with key events in Islamic cosmology and history. According to this tradition, Nowruz is the day God created the sun, wind, and flourishing earth, the day of God’s covenant with humanity, and the day Noah’s Ark landed. Furthermore, it connects Nowruz to pivotal moments in Islamic prophecy, including the angel Gabriel’s first visit to Prophet Muhammad, the destruction of idols in Mecca, and the Day of Resurrection.
These Islamic interpretations transformed Nowruz into a holiday with religious significance for many Muslims, particularly within Shia Islam. It became especially important for Twelver Shia, IsmÄÊ¿Ä«lÄ«s, and Ê¿Alawites. The historical spread of Islam through trade routes like the Silk Road and the expansion of Muslim empires further disseminated Nowruz traditions across diverse regions.
A Mughal-era painting from circa 1615 depicting Emperor Jahangir celebrating Nowruz at his court, showcasing the festival’s prominence in Muslim royal traditions in India.
How Muslims Celebrate Nowruz
While Nowruz is not a religious festival in the same way as Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha, its cultural significance is profound in many Muslim communities. The celebrations blend ancient Persian customs with local traditions, creating diverse expressions of Nowruz in the Islamic world.
Common Nowruz practices include:
- Spring Cleaning and Renewal: Homes are thoroughly cleaned, symbolizing a fresh start for the new year.
- ChahÄrshanbeh SÅ«rÄ« (Scarlet Wednesday): Observed on the eve of the last Wednesday before Nowruz, this tradition involves jumping over bonfires, signifying purification and warding off negativity.
- Haft-sÄ«n Table: A central tradition, particularly in Iran, is setting up the Haft-sÄ«n table, featuring seven symbolic items starting with the Persian letter “S,” representing renewal and spring. These items often include sabzeh (sprouts for rebirth), samanu (sweet pudding for abundance), senjed (oleaster for love), sÄ«r (garlic for health), sÄ«b (apple for beauty), somaq (sumac for sunrise), and serkeh (vinegar for patience). The table may also include a holy book, reflecting the religious context of the celebration for different communities – the Quran for Muslims, Avesta for Zoroastrians, Bible for Christians, or Torah for Jews.
- Feasting and Gatherings: Nowruz is a time for families and communities to come together, share festive meals, and enjoy each other’s company.
- Cultural Performances: Celebrations often include music, poetry readings, traditional dances, and sports, showcasing the rich cultural heritage associated with Nowruz.
- Gift-Giving: Exchanging gifts, especially for children, is a common practice, symbolizing goodwill and blessings for the new year.
Kurdish women in Istanbul participate in Nowruz festivities by jumping over a bonfire in 2018, a tradition symbolizing purification and new beginnings.
Nowruz in the Muslim World Today
Nowruz continues to be widely celebrated in many Muslim-majority countries, including Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Albania, and parts of India, Turkey, and China. However, its observance has faced challenges in some regions.
In Iran, despite attempts by some religious authorities after the 1979 revolution to discourage Nowruz due to its Zoroastrian roots, the festival remains deeply popular and is publicly celebrated. For some Iranians, Nowruz has become a symbol of cultural identity and even resistance against strict religious rule.
In Afghanistan, the Taliban has attempted to ban Nowruz, deeming it un-Islamic, yet it persists as a clandestine celebration. During the Soviet era, Nowruz was also suppressed in Central Asia, but it has experienced a revival in post-Soviet nations, becoming a public holiday in many.
Among Kurdish communities across Iraq, Iran, Turkey, and Syria, Nowruz holds particular significance, symbolizing not only the new year but also Kurdish identity and aspirations for cultural and political autonomy. Their Nowruz traditions often emphasize themes of resistance against oppression, linked to the legend of KÄveh the blacksmith who defeated a tyrannical ruler.
Conclusion
“What is Nowruz in Islam?” It is a testament to the enduring power of cultural traditions to bridge historical and religious divides. While originating in Zoroastrianism, Nowruz has been embraced and reinterpreted within Islamic societies, particularly in Shia Islam, becoming a cherished celebration of spring, renewal, and cultural identity. Its continued observance across diverse Muslim communities highlights its significance as a unifying cultural festival that transcends religious boundaries, bringing joy and hope with the arrival of the new year.
