Online Reporter
Herald Correspondent
In the Name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful
In the Name of the Exalted Regarding the Iranian Nowruz
Nowruz is accompanied by the renewal of nature and the revival of the earth, trees, and plants. God says:
“ . . . and you see the earth barren, but when We send down water upon it, it quivers and swells and puts forth [growth] of every joyous kind.” (Al-Hajj-5)
In this verse, after listing the stages of human creation, God refers to His power regarding the Resurrection and the world after death.
Therefore, the first lesson of Nowruz for all humans is the power of God and belief in the Resurrection and life after this worldly life.
Generally, the remembrance of God and the Hereafter builds a person and keeps them away from oppression and tyranny, and this is beneficial for all human beings.
As for the customs accompanying Nowruz, each has its own wisdom and philosophy.
“Khaneh-tekani” (spring cleaning) and cleaning and organising the home, workplace, and equipment result in cleanliness and order; in the religion of Islam, observing cleanliness is highly recommended. It has been said: “Cleanliness is part of faith.” In Islam, we have repeated instructions regarding Ghusl (ritual bathing), purification, and Wudu (ablution), which, in addition to purifying the body, purify the soul. Generally, human nature loves cleanliness and dislikes filth.
Visiting one another (Did-o-Bazdid) is among the customs of Nowruz. Relatives and friends go to each other’s homes, ask about one another’s well-being, become aware of each other’s problems, and try to resolve them.
Generally, the human being is a social creature and loathes loneliness.
The human nature and soul love society and gatherings. It is among the sayings of the Prophet of Islam: “Indeed, in the coming and going of my Ummah toward one another, there is mercy.” This means there is mercy and blessing in people of my faith visiting each other. If some do not like society, we must seek the cause — for example, the harassment of others, boasting, or mockery.
Traveling, journeying through the earth, seeing divine signs, meeting other people, seeing other lands, and taking lessons and warnings from other events accompany Nowruz.
God also commands us in the Quran to journey through the earth. One of the trips that Iranians do often is the journey to the holy city of Mashhad to visit the shrine of Imam Reza (AS).
He is one of the Imams after the Prophet and one of his descendants. During this pilgrimage, the instructions, conduct, and life history of the Imams (AS) are reviewed, and their good and blessed lifestyle is recalled and learned by the people.
As for the Haft-Sin table, it is another custom of the Iranian Nowruz. Before the turn of the year, they set a table and gather items on it. The presence of each of these items has a wisdom and philosophy, some of which we will mention:
Sekkeh (Coin) signifies the value and importance of the economy in human life.
All humans must work, have an income, and live with dignity. No one should be a parasite or a beggar, or plunder others’ property through bullying.
Theft is forbidden (Haram) in all divine religions. Overcharging is Haram.
Everyone loves economic security; conversely, we see powerful countries like the United States seeking to plunder the wealth of other nations, which must be countered.
Serkeh (Vinegar) is a beneficial food for the body: “Vinegar is an excellent condiment.” Vinegar melts excess body fat and opens the vessels, especially the heart vessels. The wisdom of having vinegar on the Haft-Sin table is that physical health is important. Our body is the vehicle for the soul, and we must protect its health; we must exercise. We should not eat harmful foods and should keep this body, which is a divine trust, as well as possible. In Islam, the slightest blow or harm to one’s own body or others is considered Haram.
Mahi (Fish) on the Haft-Sin table represents the importance of the life of humans and creatures and the preservation of the environment. God created this space, air, trees, plants, and animals for us: “He created for you all that is in the earth.” Therefore, one must strive to preserve the environment and not destroy it. The industrial countries of the world are polluting the air and destroying the environment.
Sabzeh (Sprouts/Greenery) is a sign of the renewal of the earth and plants, as well as the importance of agriculture. “Farmers are the treasures of God on His earth.” Agriculture is one of the most blessed occupations.
Seeb (Apple), Seer (Garlic), and Samanu (Wheat germ pudding) each represent divine blessings and remind us of God’s favours and graces. The more grateful a person is, the more blessings God gives them: “If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favour]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.” This means if a person is ungrateful, God’s torment and punishment will come upon them.
In these days, the Zionist enemy, the US, and Israel have attacked us and martyred our leader, who was dearer to us than life, as well as a group of our innocent people and children, including 170 elementary school girls in Minab, Bandar Abbas. Therefore, we have no celebration or joy this year.
Furthermore, the enemy has attacked our historical sites and destroyed some of them. They have destroyed a thousand-year-old cultural heritage, such as some mosques in Isfahan and the Golestan Palace, etc. This demonstrates the malice of the enemy and their lack of commitment to the international laws of war.
We and you, the people of Zimbabwe, have commonalities, including the fact that global powers like the US and Britain have oppressed both us and you. We are also united in the loss of cultural heritage; therefore, both nations and governments must strive to preserve cultural works.
Among the ceremonies of the Haft-Sin table and Nowruz are Quran recitation and poetry reading in the Persian language.
Preserving the Persian language is necessary, and Ferdowsi wrote the Shahnameh to preserve the Persian language:
“I suffered much during these thirty years, I revived the Persians with this Persian tongue.”
The preservation of cultural works, including literature, language, poetry, and above all, the religion of God, is a matter that must be carried out in our country and yours, and these spiritual assets must be passed on to future generations.
Peace be upon you.
