The Islamic Hijri New Year, and the month of Muharram, is expected to start on Wednesday, July 19.
The date may vary according to moon sightings. Muharram begins with the sighting of the new moon at sunset, which occurs on the final day of Dhul Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar.
The Hijri New Year is the day that marks the beginning of a new Islamic calendar year. This first day of the year is the first day of Muharram.
The first day of Muharram marks the Hijra, when the Prophet (SAW) travelled from Makkah to Madinah in 622 AD.
It’s also one of four sacred months in the year mentioned in the Quran by Allah (SWT). According to Hadith, the other significant months are Rajab, Dhul Qadah and Dhul Hijjah.
“The number of months with Allah has been twelve since the time he created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are sacred. That is the right religion. So do not wrong yourselves during them.” Surah At-Tawbah, verse 36.
Abu Bakr (RA) reported that the Prophet said: “The year is twelve months of which four are sacred, the three consecutive months of Dhul Qidah, Dhul Hijjah and Muharram, and Rajab Mudar.” (Bukhari, 2958)
In this video, Yasrab Shah talks in more detail about the significance of the sacred months.
In another video in the series, he mentions the special dua you can make to welcome the new Hijri year.
The day of Ashura
During Muharram, there is a special day called Ashura, which falls on the 10th day. The word Ashura comes from the word Ashra, which in Arabic means ten.
Anyone fasting on the day of Ashura will have their sins forgiven for an entire year.
When the Prophet migrated from Makkah to Madinah, he found the Jewish people fasted to commemorate the day Musa (AS) and Bani Israel were saved from Firaun and his army. Allah’s Messenger said, “we are closer to Musa”, and encouraged Muslims to fast that day too.
As well as the day of Ashura, it is also recommended to fast on the day before or after Ashura.
