Day of Nature, refreshment of body and soul

Spring has come with the mellifluous song of birds and rivers and the pleasant breeze blowing over the nature.

Flowers and plants have split open the soil and the green lawn has covered everywhere like a velvet. On the last day of Nowruz holidays (13^th of Farvardin), Iranians go outdoors to enjoy the beauties of nature alongside their family members and relatives. Then they return to their homes at night. This year, the 13^th of Farvardin has corresponded with the last day of E'tekaaf (three-day stay in mosque) which happens on 13-15 of the Islamic month of Rajab. In these three days many people, especially youths, go the mosques across the country and stay there for worshipping and being in communion with God while they are fasting. On the last day of these three days, they break their fast after the Azaan of Maghreb and leave mosques.

According to the ancient Iranian myths, the life of the universe is 12 thousand years after which a new era begins and the men who were duty-bound to fight the devil will triumph with the emergence of the savior. After this era, the material world ends and human beings return to their eternal abode. Hence, the first 12 days of the year symbolize "regeneration of humans" through 12 thousand years of life and fighting the devil. And the 13^th day symbolizes the start of the 13^th millennium and start of salvation from the material world. This belief among ancient Iranians caused them to pray for rainfall for dry lands, too. This year it is simultaneous with the third day of E'tekaaf when worshippers appeal to God for mercy and forgiveness of their sins.

Ancient Iranians considered the 13^th of Farvardin as a symbol of life of humans in paradise as the spring rain has caused freshness and greenery. Today, although human beings have developed much in technology and lifestyle, the machine life has made man alienated with himself. The monotonous and routine course of life has worn out the body and soul and has made man distant from God. Therefore, man needs a place in which he muses on his deeds and life and returns to the Creator through purification of his soul.

In ancient Iran days were not equal in terms of value. Some of the rulers would dedicate the first 5 days to themselves. The second 5 days belonged to the nobility, the third 5 days belonged to the staff and servants of kingdom, the fourth 5 days belonged to the courtiers, the fifth 5 days belonged to the masses and the last 5 days belonged to the farmers. Thus, they had categorized days of a month among people. But, according to the scholars of Islamic sciences, days and times have an internal reality in the divine world. In special days and junctures, enthusiastic humans are attracted by a strong magnet and march toward their lofty goal (proximity of God) with more speed. That's why, it is highly recommended to take advantage from the three days of 13-15 of the month of Rajab and the last 10 days of Ramazan for getting ever closer to God.

E'tekaaf means distancing from the material world and animalistic desires and taking refuge with God via staying in a mosque. This act has a lot of spiritual impacts. It existed in other divine religions and Islam has accepted it, too. Part of ayah 125 of surah Baqara reads, "And We charged Abraham and Ishmael, 'Purify My House for those who go around it, and those who make it a retreat, and those who bow and prostrate."

 This ayah shows that E'tekaaf used to be practiced in the era of Prophet Abraham. Virgin Mary, also keep aloof from people and resided in seclusion to pray and supplicate to God.

It is narrated that Adam asked God about the best day. God answered, "O Adam! The lost loved day for me is the 15^th of Rajab. O Adam! On the 15^th of Rajab seek my proximity through fasting, praying, seeking forgiveness and uttering 'La Ilaha ill' Allah'. O Adam! I have decided to raise a Prophet from among your progeny who is forbearing, kind, generous, knowing and blessed. I have designated the 15^th of Rajab for him and his nation wo that on that day I'll give them whatever they request. O Adam! Anyone who fasts the 15^th of Rajab, utters zikr, is humble, controls his anger and spends from his property, his reward won't be other than paradise. O Adam! Tell your children to shun committing sins as sinning is very great in it."

You may have noticed that Iranians use both solar and lunar calendars in their daily life. They set their national ceremonies with the solar calendar while they observe their Islamic events and ceremonies with the lunar one. This is similar to many Islamic countries in which both the Gregorian calendar and the Islamic lunar calendar are valid.

RM/ME