happy Ayyám-i-Há!

Ayyám-i-Há (the Days of Há*) are the intercalary days between the 18th and 19th month in the Baha'i calendar. the Baha'i calendar is made up of 19 months, each with 19 days. 19 * 19 = 361, which means that to complete the solar year we need 4 (or 5, in the case of leap year) extra days. these are the days of Ayyám-i-Há. these days are supposed to be spent in joy and spiritual preparation for the Fast (more on that later). Bahá'u'lláh says: "It behoveth the people of Bahá, throughout these days, to provide good cheer for themselves, their kindred and, beyond them, the poor and needy, and with joy and exultation to hail and glorify their Lord, to sing His praise and magnify His Name."

during these days, gifts are exchanged between friends, and there are generally one or two dinners being offered by members of the community. however, there is not the same stress as for example during Christmas, as usually the gifts are of the smaller kind. the joy comes from the shared fellowship and from the pleasure of giving, rather than receiving. and I agree, it's much more fun to see someone be happy by what you have given them, even though the happy Ayyám-i-Há-message I got from a friend in the morning did make me very happy :)


(*The letter 'Há' has been given several spiritual meanings in the Holy Writings, among which is as a symbol of the Essence of God.)