Thu Mar 20 04:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Nowruz 1404 Coincides with “Qamar dar Aqrab,” Prompting Calls for Prayer and Charity
**Tehran, Iran** – The upcoming Nowruz holiday (Iranian New Year) in 1404 will coincide with the astrological event known as “Qamar dar Aqrab” (the moon in Scorpio), a time traditionally associated with potential difficulties. While scientific evidence supporting the negative impacts of this astrological alignment remains inconclusive, many Iranians view it as a time for increased caution and prayer.
Religious scholars are recommending the recitation of specific prayers and the giving of charity to mitigate any potential negative effects and ensure a prosperous new year. A particularly recommended supplication is: “La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah il-‘aliyy il-‘azim” (“There is no power and no might except with Allah, the High, the Great”) and “La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah, afraj biha kulli karb” (“There is no might nor power except with God; He removes all distress”).
Repeating this prayer multiple times during the Nowruz transition, accompanied by charitable giving, is believed to bring peace, prosperity, and ward off misfortune. The practice underscores a reliance on divine intervention and promotes a sense of spiritual reassurance during a time considered sensitive within Iranian cultural tradition.
While the beliefs surrounding “Qamar dar Aqrab” are deeply rooted in Iranian culture and history, it is important to note that there is no scientific consensus on its influence. The recommendations for prayer and charity should therefore be understood within a broader context of faith and cultural tradition.
First Piper 