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The '''Batini calendar''' ({{wp|Arabic language|Riysan}}: تقويم بداية باطنية ''taqwim bidayat batiniyya''; {{wp|Indonesian language|Indonesian}}: Kalender Shia Batiniya; {{wp|Dutch language|Dutch}}: Esoterische Sji'ieten Kalender) is the religious calendar of [[Esoteric Shi'ism]]. It is a 12-month solar calendar, consisting of 365 or 366 days, that begins on the {{wp|March equinox|equinox of March}} as determined by yearly astronomical observation from [[Mount Ilias]]. The calendar was instituted in 1070 CE by [[Al-Sayyid al-Mu'alim]], the spiritual founder of Esoteric Shi'ism, to symbolise the religious break from [[Zahiri Shi'ism]] which was the predominant Shia denomination in [[Maqtajer|Muzdatijer]] at the time. The epochal date of the Batini calendar began on the day of Al-Sayyid al-Mu'alim proclaimed his ministry on the March equinox of 1041 CE. It was the official calendar of the [[Esoteric Shia State]] from 1689 until 1929 when it joined the [[Hindia Belanda|Commonwealth of Hindia Belanda]] upon the latter's independence from [[Noordenstaat]]. The calendar is currently used by the [[Shia Convocation]] to determine dates of some religious observances. | The '''Batini calendar''' ({{wp|Arabic language|Riysan}}: تقويم بداية باطنية ''taqwim bidayat batiniyya''; {{wp|Indonesian language|Indonesian}}: Kalender Shia Batiniya; {{wp|Dutch language|Dutch}}: Esoterische Sji'ieten Kalender) is the religious calendar of [[Esoteric Shi'ism]]. It is a 12-month solar calendar, consisting of 365 or 366 days, that begins on the {{wp|March equinox|equinox of March}} as determined by yearly astronomical observation from [[Mount Ilias]]. The calendar was instituted in 1070 CE by [[Al-Sayyid al-Mu'alim]], the spiritual founder of Esoteric Shi'ism, to symbolise the religious break from [[Zahiri Shi'ism]] which was the predominant Shia denomination in [[Maqtajer|Muzdatijer]] at the time. The epochal date of the Batini calendar began on the day of Al-Sayyid al-Mu'alim proclaimed his ministry on the March equinox of 1041 CE. It was the official calendar of the [[Esoteric Shia State]] from 1689 until 1929 when it joined the [[Hindia Belanda|Commonwealth of Hindia Belanda]] upon the latter's independence from [[Noordenstaat]]. The calendar is currently used by the [[Shia Convocation]] to determine dates of some religious observances. | ||
The first month in the Batini calendar, [[Tahir]], corresponds to the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. It begins on the day of [[Nawruz]], an Esoteric Shia religious holiday commemorating [[Esoteric Shia cosmogony|God's covenant with humankind before the creation of the universe]]. Esoteric Shias fast from dawn until sunset on the last | The first month in the Batini calendar, [[Tahir]], corresponds to the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. It begins on the day of [[Nawruz]], an Esoteric Shia religious holiday commemorating [[Esoteric Shia cosmogony|God's covenant with humankind before the creation of the universe]]. Esoteric Shias fast from dawn until sunset on the last seven days of the twelfth month, each day dedicated to the memories of the seven figures of Esoteric Shi'ism. At sunset on the last day of the Esoteric Shia year, the fast is broken with a feast celebrating the arrival of spring and the new year. | ||
In modern times, years in this era are denoted '''AA''' ({{wp|Latin language|Latin}}: ''Anno Absconditae''), from the Riysan ''as-sanatu'l-maknunih'', meaning 'the hidden year'. The next Esoteric Shia new year will fall on 21 March, 2023 at sunset. | In modern times, years in this era are denoted '''AA''' ({{wp|Latin language|Latin}}: ''Anno Absconditae''), from the Riysan ''as-sanatu'l-maknunih'', meaning 'the hidden year'. The next Esoteric Shia new year will fall on 21 March, 2023 at sunset. | ||
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=== Cycles of years === | === Cycles of years === | ||
The Batini calendar has a super-cycle of 2,820 years. This super-cycle is divided into 88 sub-cycles of 33 years with the occasional interruption by a single 29-year sub-cycle for every three 33-year sub-cycles that elapsed. The last 4 sub-cycles in a super-cycle each lasts 37 years. | The Batini calendar has a super-cycle of 2,820 years. This super-cycle is divided into 88 sub-cycles of 33 years with the occasional interruption by a single 29-year sub-cycle for every three 33-year sub-cycles that elapsed. The last 4 sub-cycles in a super-cycle each lasts 37 years. It is currently the 32nd sub-cycle within the 1st super-cycle. The last changing of sub-cycle occured in 2003; the next changing of sub-cycle will take place in 2036. | ||
For Esoteric Shias, the conclusion and beginning of each sub-cycle has unique religious importance. The 33-year sub-cycle is an allusion to the 33rd verse of the 33rd chapter of the Qur'an upon which the Shia doctrine of infallibility is based. The 29-year sub-cycle, in turn, corresponds to the 29 Qur'anic chapters which begin with the {{w|Muqatta'at|disconnected mysterious letters}}. The 37-year sub-cycle corresponds to the number of [[Thirty-seven Companions|the closest followers]] of [[Al-Sayyid al-Mu'alim]] after his excommunication in Jartasti. | For Esoteric Shias, the conclusion and beginning of each sub-cycle has unique religious importance. The 33-year sub-cycle is an allusion to the 33rd verse of the 33rd chapter of the Qur'an upon which the Shia doctrine of infallibility is based. The 29-year sub-cycle, in turn, corresponds to the 29 Qur'anic chapters which begin with the {{w|Muqatta'at|disconnected mysterious letters}}. The 37-year sub-cycle corresponds to the number of [[Thirty-seven Companions|the closest followers]] of [[Al-Sayyid al-Mu'alim]] after his excommunication in Jartasti. | ||
The changing of a sub-cycle is marked with a communal feast and a reading of the [[Lisan al-Hikma]] at the [[Bayt al-Adhkar]]. | The changing of a sub-cycle is marked with a communal feast and a reading of the [[Lisan al-Hikma]] at the [[Bayt al-Adhkar]]. | ||
== Significance == | == Significance == | ||
=== Religious observances === | === Religious observances === | ||
The Batini calendar is used to determine dates of religious observances that are unique to Esoteric Shi'ism | The Batini calendar is used to determine dates of religious observances that are unique to Esoteric Shi'ism. | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
Latest revision as of 06:41, 19 September 2022
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The Batini calendar (Riysan: تقويم بداية باطنية taqwim bidayat batiniyya; Indonesian: Kalender Shia Batiniya; Dutch: Esoterische Sji'ieten Kalender) is the religious calendar of Esoteric Shi'ism. It is a 12-month solar calendar, consisting of 365 or 366 days, that begins on the equinox of March as determined by yearly astronomical observation from Mount Ilias. The calendar was instituted in 1070 CE by Al-Sayyid al-Mu'alim, the spiritual founder of Esoteric Shi'ism, to symbolise the religious break from Zahiri Shi'ism which was the predominant Shia denomination in Muzdatijer at the time. The epochal date of the Batini calendar began on the day of Al-Sayyid al-Mu'alim proclaimed his ministry on the March equinox of 1041 CE. It was the official calendar of the Esoteric Shia State from 1689 until 1929 when it joined the Commonwealth of Hindia Belanda upon the latter's independence from Noordenstaat. The calendar is currently used by the Shia Convocation to determine dates of some religious observances.
The first month in the Batini calendar, Tahir, corresponds to the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. It begins on the day of Nawruz, an Esoteric Shia religious holiday commemorating God's covenant with humankind before the creation of the universe. Esoteric Shias fast from dawn until sunset on the last seven days of the twelfth month, each day dedicated to the memories of the seven figures of Esoteric Shi'ism. At sunset on the last day of the Esoteric Shia year, the fast is broken with a feast celebrating the arrival of spring and the new year.
In modern times, years in this era are denoted AA (Latin: Anno Absconditae), from the Riysan as-sanatu'l-maknunih, meaning 'the hidden year'. The next Esoteric Shia new year will fall on 21 March, 2023 at sunset.
Structure
Epoch
The adoption of the Batini calendar by Early Esoteric Shias of Muzdatijer signalled the religious break from the predominant Shia denomination at the time. As such, the epoch no longer dates from the Hegira but rather from Al-Sayyid al-Mu'alim's excommunication by Shaykh Nasir on DD Month of the gregorian year YEAR. The starting year of the Batini calendar is known in Latin as Anno Absconditae Unus.
Leap years
In the Batini calendar, leap years are years with 366 days between two Esoteric Shia new years. In a leap year, an additional day is added at the end of Muntaha, the twelfth month of the year.
Months
| Month | Days | Riysan name | English meaning | Gregorian equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 31 | Tahir (طاهر) | Immaculate | March-April |
| 2 | 31 | Mazahir (مظاهر) | Manifestations | April-May |
| 3 | 31 | Malakut (ملكوت) | Kingdom | May-June |
| 4 | 31 | Tafawut (تفاوت) | Disparity | June-July |
| 5 | 31 | Aqwal (أقوال) | Utterances | July-August |
| 6 | 31 | Amal (أمل) | Hope | August-September |
| 7 | 30 | Istishhad (إستشهاد) | Martyrdom | September-October |
| 8 | 30 | Itihad (إتحاد) | Union | October-November |
| 9 | 30 | Rahmat (رحمة) | Mercy | November-December |
| 10 | 30 | Qudrat (قدرة) | Power, potency | December-January |
| 11 | 30 | Asma (اسماء) | Names | January-February |
| 12 | 29/30 | Muntaha (منتهى) | Extremity, maximum | February-March |
Weekdays
As with its Islamic and Hebrew counterparts, a day in the Batini calendar runs from sunset to the next sunset. A week in the Batini calendar begins at sunset on Saturday and ends at sunset on Friday. Friday is a day of gathering on which Esoteric Shias convene at the Bayt al-Adhkar to perform communal prayers. Saturday is set aside as a day of rest, although this practice has not been observed by Esoteric Shias since the turn of the twentieth century.
| Batini weekdays | English meaning | English equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Sabt (سبت) | Sabbath | Saturday-Sunday |
| I'tidal (اِعْتِدَال) | Temperance | Sunday-Monday |
| Adala (عدالة) | Justice | Monday-Tuesday |
| Abadiyya (أَبَدِيَّة) | Eternity | Tuesday-Wednesday |
| Sakha (سخاء) | Generosity | Wednesday-Thursday |
| Ishraq (إشراق) | Splendour | Thursday-Friday |
| Sharaf (شرف) | Honour | Friday-Saturday |
Cycles of years
The Batini calendar has a super-cycle of 2,820 years. This super-cycle is divided into 88 sub-cycles of 33 years with the occasional interruption by a single 29-year sub-cycle for every three 33-year sub-cycles that elapsed. The last 4 sub-cycles in a super-cycle each lasts 37 years. It is currently the 32nd sub-cycle within the 1st super-cycle. The last changing of sub-cycle occured in 2003; the next changing of sub-cycle will take place in 2036.
For Esoteric Shias, the conclusion and beginning of each sub-cycle has unique religious importance. The 33-year sub-cycle is an allusion to the 33rd verse of the 33rd chapter of the Qur'an upon which the Shia doctrine of infallibility is based. The 29-year sub-cycle, in turn, corresponds to the 29 Qur'anic chapters which begin with the disconnected mysterious letters. The 37-year sub-cycle corresponds to the number of the closest followers of Al-Sayyid al-Mu'alim after his excommunication in Jartasti.
The changing of a sub-cycle is marked with a communal feast and a reading of the Lisan al-Hikma at the Bayt al-Adhkar.
Significance
Religious observances
The Batini calendar is used to determine dates of religious observances that are unique to Esoteric Shi'ism.
History
See also
- List of observances set by the Batini calendar
- Esoteric Shi'ism
- Shia Convocation
- Esoteric Shia holy days