When Is the Islamic New Year 2025?
The Islamic New Year 2025 marks the beginning of 1 Muharram 1447 AH. Based on the Umm al-Qura calendar, the Islamic New Year is expected to fall on Friday, 27 June 2025.
Muharram 1447 Key Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| 1 Muharram 1447 — Islamic New Year | Friday, 27 June 2025 |
| 9 Muharram 1447 — Day of Tasu'a (recommended fast) | Saturday, 5 July 2025 |
| 10 Muharram 1447 — Day of Ashura (obligatory fast — Sunnah) | Sunday, 6 July 2025 |
The Significance of Muharram
Muharram is one of the four sacred months (Ashhur al-Hurum) in Islam — months in which warfare was prohibited and worship is especially rewarded. The Prophet ﷺ called it "Allah's month", describing it as: "The best fasting after Ramadan is in Allah's month of Muharram." (Muslim)
Muharram also marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar year, which was established to commemorate the Hijrah — the migration of the Prophet ﷺ and the Muslims from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE. This migration was so significant that the Muslim community chose it as Year 1 of the Islamic calendar, making it the founding moment of the first Islamic society.
How Should Muslims Observe the New Hijri Year?
Unlike the Gregorian New Year, there are no specific religious ceremonies or celebrations for the Islamic New Year. Rather, it is a time for:
- Reflection: Reviewing one's deeds, repenting for sins, and renewing Islamic commitments
- Increased worship: Voluntary fasting, Dhikr, and Quran recitation throughout Muharram
- Gratitude: Thanking Allah for another year of life and health
- Goal-setting: Setting Islamic goals — completing a Quran recitation, improving Salah, memorising new Surahs
Fasting in Muharram
After Ramadan, Muharram is the most virtuous month for voluntary fasting. The Prophet ﷺ specifically recommended it. The most important fast is on the Day of Ashura (10 Muharram), and it is recommended to also fast on the 9th (Tasu'a) or 11th to differentiate from the Jewish practice of fasting only on the 10th.
The Story of Ashura
When the Prophet ﷺ arrived in Medina, he found the Jews fasting on the 10th of Muharram. He asked why, and they said: "It is the day when Allah saved Prophet Musa (Moses) and his people [the Children of Israel] from Pharaoh, and Musa fasted on this day out of gratitude."
The Prophet ﷺ responded: "We have more right to Musa than you," and commanded the Muslims to fast on that day, adding that he intended to also fast on the 9th. (Muslim)
Fasting on Ashura expiates the sins of the previous year: "Fasting on the Day of Ashura — I hope that Allah will accept it as expiation for the year that came before it." (Muslim)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is celebrating the Islamic New Year allowed?
There are no specific celebrations for the Islamic New Year commanded in Islam. Using the occasion for reflection, increased worship, and setting righteous goals is beneficial. Large-scale public celebrations modelled after secular New Year's events are generally discouraged by scholars as having no religious basis.
Why does the Islamic year start in Muharram?
The Hijri calendar is based on the lunar year. Muharram was already recognised as the first month of the year in Arab tradition. The companions (Sahaba) chose the Hijrah (migration to Medina) as Year 1, starting from Muharram of that year (622 CE), making it the foundation of Islamic civilization.
