friends, and performance of charitable acts. Aside
from these celebrations, every Friday in the year
is considered to be an especially holy day because
it is the day of communal prayer. However, it is
not regarded as a day of rest like the Sabbath is
in Judaism (Saturday) and Christianity (Sunday).
Another important day for many is Laylat al-Qadr
(night oF destiny), which falls in the latter part
of Ramadan. It commemorates the first revelation
of the Quran to mUhammad. Most Muslims, with
the exception of the followers of the Wahhabi
sect, also celebrate the day of Muhammad’s birth
(mawlid al-Nabi), which falls on the 12th of Rabi
al-Awwal, the third lunar month. Another event
celebrated by many Muslims every year is the
night JoUrney and ascent of Muhammad.
In addition to these major holidays, which
are observed by all Muslims, the Shia observe
holy days commemorating the deaths of the
imams (sacred leaders descended from Muham-
mad) and other members of Muhammad’s family
(ahl al-bayt). The most important of these holy
days is ashUra, which remembers the martyr-
dom of hUsayn ibn ali (d. 680) on the 10th day
of the 12th month (Dhu al-Hijja). The Shia also
observe the anniversary of ghadir khUmm on the
18th of the same month, which is associated with
Muhammad’s designation of ali ibn abi talib (d.
660), their first imam, as his successor to lead
the community. Members of Sufi brotherhoods
celebrate the major religious feasts observed by
other Muslims. In addition, they participate in pil-
grimages and festivals connected with saintly men
and women, especially members of Muhammad’s
family and their descendants. These are usually
popular religious gatherings that occur at local
shrines at different times of the year. Some attract
millions of celebrants from far and wide, such as
the mawlid of ahmad al-badaWi of Tanta (egypt)
and zaynab of cairo or the urs of Muin al-Din
Chishti in aJmer (india).
Muslims share some holidays with non-Mus-
lims. The most important seasonal holiday cel-
ebrated by people living in Muslim lands, nav rUz,
is connected with the advent of spring. It is
observed in iran, aFghanistan, Azerbaijan, and
Kurdish areas of iraq and tUrkey on March 21.
Egyptians celebrate spring on Shamm al-Nasim
(Smelling the Breeze), which falls on the first
Monday after the Coptic Christian feast of Easter.
Moreover, secular national holidays are observed
in many countries with Muslim majorities. These
usually commemorate the country’s independence
from colonial control, a political revolution, or a
victory in war. Some countries honor the memory
of their founders with holidays, such as mUs taFa
kemal atatUrk (d. 1938) in Turkey and mUham-
mad ali Jinnah (d. 1948) in pakistan. Most
Muslims recognize the religious holidays of non-
Muslims, wishing them well on these occasions
and participating in feasts and parades. Non-Mus-
lims, likewise, often recognize Muslim holidays.
Such reciprocal interfaith activities occur both
in countries where Muslims are majorities and
where they are minorities. In the United states,
there has been growing recognition by commu-
nity leaders and the media of Muslim observance
of the Ramadan fast. On the other hand, follow-
ers of radical and puritanical Islamic doctrines
have denounced the observance or recognition of
non-Muslim holidays by Muslims because of the
belief that they are unauthorized innovations that
may lead Muslims astray. Outside of saUdi arabia,
however, such views are in the minority.
See also bidaa; moon; Wahhabism.Further reading: Johan Blank, Mullahs on the Main-
frame: Islam and Modernity among the Daudi Bohras
(Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2001); Tanya
Gulevich, Understanding Islam and Muslim Traditions
(Detroit: Omnigraphics, 2005); Gustav E. von Grune-
baum, Muhammadan Festivals (1951. Reprint, London:
Curzon Press, 1976).holy books
One of the most important features common to the
Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity, andK 306 holy books