Muharram 2026 | Beginning of the Islamic New Year

The Islamic Hijri calendar

The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar – that is, it is marked by the moon’s orbit of Earth. It is also known as the Hijri calendar because its beginning point is the hijrah (migration) of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), from Makkah to Medina.

When does the Islamic New Year begin in 2026?

1st Muharram and the beginning of the hijri new year will occur on Tuesday 16th June 2026, (depending on the sighting of the moon).

Each year, the beginning of the Islamic New Year is determined by the sighting of the moon. The Islamic lunar calendar moves forward approximately 11-12 days each year, while the Gregorian calendar runs on the solar year.

In Islam, the beginning of a new day begins at sunset. Therefore, the first day of the Islamic New Year technically begins at sunset on 15th June until sunset time on 16th June 2026 (subject to the sighting of the moon).

What is the significance of the Islamic New Year?

There are no set customs or requirements for celebrating the Hijri new year. However, since Muharram is one of the sacred months ordained by Allah (SWT), when good deeds earn multiplied rewards, it is an opportune time for Muslims to incorporate acts of sadaqah jariyah, nafl (voluntary) prayers, fasting and Qur’an recitation.

It’s a time to reflect on the last Islamic year in terms of decisions we made, our good and bad deeds, changes in our character and how well we think we have fulfilled the rights of Allah and sought to seek His pleasure.

We should use this as a basis to make improvements to our lives in order to become closer to Allah Almighty.

One of the most important things to reflect upon is our good and bad qualities – and we should work to correct anything in our manners and character that may be delaying us from gaining Allah’s pleasure.

In addition, as we reflect upon the hardships that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his family were faced with, and the sacrifices they made to ensure that Islam reached us, the Islamic New Year is a time to show gratitude for being Muslim and having the gift of Islam which illuminates our lives.

Surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of the night and day are signs for people of understanding, those who remember Allah while standing, sitting or reclining, and reflect in the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying): “Our Lord! You have not created this in vain. Glory to you! Save us, then, from the chastisement of the Fire!”

Qur’an (3:190-191)

What is the Hijrah?

The Hijrah was the migration of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from Makkah to Madinah in the year 622 CE.

It marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar as it was such a significant event for the preservation of Islam.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) migrated to Madina to escape brutal oppression and opposition in Makkah.

He (PBUH) was accompanied by his beloved companion Abu Bakr (RA).

During the Hijrah, the Prophet (PBUH), he asked his beloved cousin Ali ibn Abu Talib (RA) to stay behind and return the possessions of all those who had entrusted them to him, ensuring that everything was returned to his enemies, demonstrating his trustworthiness.

“I saw in a dream that I was emigrating from Makkah to a land in which there are date palms, and I thought that it was Al-Yamamah or Hajar, but it turned out to be Madinah, Yathrib.” (Bukhari)

This is a special, sacred month that offers us the chance to seek the mercy and blessings from Allah (SWT). For many of the world’s most vulnerable, your small, yet impactful donations are literally a lifeline. 

May Allah accept our good deeds from the past year. Happy Islamic New Year!