– Yaman Sheikh, Bhopal
The Islamic New Year, also known as Hijri New Year or Arabic New Year, marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, which is based on the solar cycle, the Islamic calendar is lunar, meaning it follows the moon’s phases. As a result, the Islamic New Year does not occur on the same day each year in the Gregorian calendar, and it shifts approximately 11 to 12 days earlier every year. The Islamic New Year typically begins with the first day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar.
What is the Islamic Calendar?
The Islamic calendar is based on the moon’s cycles, with each month beginning when the new moon is sighted. A lunar year is about 10 to 12 days shorter than the Gregorian solar year, leading to a gradual shift in the dates of Islamic holidays, including the Islamic New Year.
The Islamic calendar has 12 months:
- Muharram
- Saffar
- Rabi al-Awwal
- Rabi al-Thani
- Jumada al-Awwal
- Jumada al-Thani
- Rajab
- Sha’ban
- Ramadan
- Shawwal
- Dhul-Qi’dah
- Dhul-Hijjah
Since the Islamic year is based on the moon’s phases, it is about 354 or 355 days long compared to the 365-day Gregorian year. Therefore, each year, Islamic holidays, including the Islamic New Year, occur about 10 to 12 days earlier on the Gregorian calendar.
Significance of the Islamic New Year
The arrival of the Islamic New Year is observed with reverence and reflection rather than large, celebratory festivals. It marks the beginning of the month of Muharram, which holds great significance in Islam. While the Islamic New Year doesn’t have the same global celebrations as the Western New Year (January 1st), it is a time for Muslims to reflect on the journey of Islam and its historical roots. The event has deep ties to the Hijrat (the migration of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from Makkah to Madinah).
The Islamic calendar is not just a way of counting time; it is rooted in historical events central to Islam. The most important of these is the Hijrat, the migration of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his followers from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE, which laid the foundation for the establishment of the Islamic state.
The migration was necessary because, after years of persecution in Makkah, the Muslims faced increased hostility. The Prophet and his followers migrated to Madinah, where they were welcomed and began to build a community based on the teachings of Islam. The Hijrat marked a significant turning point in Islamic history, and it was chosen by early Muslim scholars to mark the beginning of the Islamic calendar.
The First Islamic Calendar Year
The first Islamic year, known as 1 AH (Anno Hegirae, Latin for “in the year of the Hijri”), began when the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his followers reached Madinah in 622 CE. The event is so important that it serves as the starting point for the entire Islamic calendar. From this time forward, every year is counted from the Hijri.
Thus, the Islamic New Year begins with the month of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, which signifies the start of the Islamic year. Unlike the Gregorian New Year, which focuses on festivities and parties, the Islamic New Year is a moment of spiritual reflection and contemplation, especially for the Hijrat and the lessons it teaches Muslims about sacrifice, resilience, and faith.
How is the Islamic New Year Observed?
Unlike other new year celebrations, the Islamic New Year is generally not marked with large public celebrations. Instead, it is observed with prayers, personal reflection, and religious activities. Some Muslims gather in mosques to offer prayers and listen to sermons about the significance of the Hijrat and its impact on Islam. It’s a time for Muslims to reflect on their own lives, renewing their faith, and making resolutions for the coming year.
In some cultures, especially in the Middle East and South Asia, the arrival of the Islamic New Year may be accompanied by small gatherings, charity work, and religious study. Some Muslims may also observe fasting during the first day of Muharram as a means of seeking closeness to God, although it is not obligatory.
The Islamic New Year, marking 1st Muharram, will begin around June 26 or 27, 2025 (depending on the moon sighting in different regions). In 2024, the Islamic New Year was observed around July 8, 2024.
To determine the exact date of the Islamic New Year each year, Muslim communities rely on the moon sighting. This means the start of the month of Muharram, and the New Year, can vary by one or two days depending on where you are in the world.
Whether celebrated with solemnity or quiet reflection, the Islamic New Year serves as a reminder of the enduring lessons of faith, resilience, and perseverance taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and the early Muslim community.
