The Islamic New Year, known as Ra’s as-Sanah al-Hijriyyah, falls on the 1st of Muharram and marks the beginning of a new lunar year in the Hijri calendar. Unlike the Gregorian new year, it is not a festival but a quiet day of reflection on the migration (Hijrah) of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE, the event from which the Hijri calendar takes its name and its starting point.

The Qur’an reminds believers of the sanctity of this month and the calendar itself: “Indeed, the number of months ordained by Allah is twelve in the Book of Allah from the day He created the heavens and the earth, of which four are sacred…” (Surah at-Tawbah 9:36). Muharram is the first of those four sacred months.

There is no specific worship that the Prophet (peace be upon him) instituted for the first of Muharram itself. The early Muslims did not celebrate it as a festival. The choice of Muharram as the start of the calendar was made by the second caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab, in consultation with the Companions, to use the Hijrah as the calendar’s epoch.

Many scholars encourage believers to use the new year as a moment for muhasabah (self-accounting) and to renew intentions. Fasting is not specifically prescribed on the 1st of Muharram, but the month overall is one in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The most virtuous fasting after Ramadan is in the month of Allah, Muharram.” (Sahih Muslim).

On this site you can subscribe to the Islamic Calendar to receive Hijri dates throughout the year, with the new year marked alongside Ashura, Ramadan, the two Eids, and other significant observances.