close
US

Reflection

By US Desk
24 January, 2025

Allah’s Apostle (S.A.W) said, “If the people knew the reward for pronouncing the adhan and for standing in the first row....

Reflection

BITS ‘N’ PIECES

Narrated by Abu Huraira (R.A)

Allah’s Apostle (S.A.W) said, “If the people knew the reward for pronouncing the adhan and for standing in the first row (in congregational prayers) and found no other way to get that (reward) except by drawing lots they would draw lots, and if they knew the reward of the Zuhr prayer (in the early moments of its stated time) they would race for it (go early) and if they knew the reward of Isha and Fajr (morning) prayers in congregation, they would come to offer them even if they had to crawl.”

Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 11, Number 589

DID YOU KNOW?

Reflection

The ancient Egyptians relied on celestial observations to regulate their calendar.

The ancient Egyptian solar calendar is one of the earliest known attempts to measure time based on the solar year. It reflects the ingenuity of the Egyptians in observing natural phenomena and applying this knowledge to organize agricultural and religious activities. This calendar was remarkably accurate for its time and influenced many subsequent civilizations.

The solar calendar comprised 12 months of 30 days each, adding up to 360 days. To align the calendar with the solar year, which is approximately 365.25 days, an additional five days, known as epagomenal days, were added at the end of the year. These days were considered sacred and dedicated to the gods Osiris, Horus, Set, Isis and Nephthys. Despite this correction, the calendar fell short of the true solar year by about a quarter of a day annually, causing a gradual drift over centuries.

The ancient Egyptian calendar divided each month into three weeks of 10 days, a system used to organize their administrative, agricultural, and religious activities. The year was further divided into three seasons, each lasting four months, reflecting the natural cycle of the Nile River, which was central to their civilization. The first season, Akhet (Inundation), occurred from mid-July to mid-November and marked the flooding season, when the Nile's annual rise deposited fertile silt on farmlands. Following this was Peret (Emergence), the growing season from mid-November to mid-March, during which crops were sown and cultivated. The final season, Shemu (Harvest), lasted from mid-March to mid-July and was dedicated to gathering the harvested crops. This cyclical pattern of seasons underscored the vital role of the Nile in sustaining the agricultural economy of ancient Egypt.

The ancient Egyptians relied on celestial observations to regulate their calendar. The heliacal rising of the star Sirius (Sopdet), which coincided with the Nile's inundation, served as an important marker for the new year. This event was critical for agricultural planning and religious rituals, as it symbolized renewal and prosperity.

Although the solar calendar was practical for daily life, the Egyptians also used a lunar calendar for certain religious purposes, creating a dual-calendar system. The solar calendar's influence extended far beyond Egypt, serving as the foundation for the Julian and later the Gregorian calendars that many parts of the world use today.

This innovative timekeeping system highlights the Egyptians' deep connection to nature and their advanced understanding of astronomy.