• Muharram 1448AH •
Welcoming the Islamic New Year
As the world celebrates the beginning of a new year with fireworks, countdowns, and parties, the arrival of the Islamic New Year often comes quietly.
The first day of Muharram marks the beginning of a new Islamic year. It’s a moment that invites reflection rather than celebration. A time to reset intentions, renew faith and reconnect with Allah (swt).
For Muslims, the Islamic calendar itself began with the historic migration of the Prophet ﷺ from Mecca to Medina. This is known as the Hijrah. This journey symbolised sacrifice, faith and the pursuit of a life lived for the sake of Allah.
So rather than fireworks, the Islamic New Year begins with something far more meaningful – reflection, worship and renewed intention.
Blessings of Muharram (Islamic New Year)
Muharram is one of the four sacred months in Islam, a time when good deeds carry greater weight and sins should be avoided with extra care.
Within this blessed month comes the special day of Ashura, a day filled with historical significance and spiritual reward.
The Prophet ﷺ encouraged Muslims to fast on this day, explaining that fasting on Ashura expiates the sins of the previous year.
He also recommended fasting alongside it (either the 9th and 10th, or the 10th and 11th of Muharram) to distinguish the practice from other traditions.
Seeking guidance through Istikhara
A new year naturally brings new questions, decisions, and uncertainties.
Should I take this opportunity?
Is this path good for me?
What decision will bring me closer to Allah?
In moments like these, Islam gives us a powerful tool: Istikhara.
Salat al-Istikhara is a prayer performed when seeking Allah’s guidance in making a decision. It reminds us that while we may plan our lives, ultimate knowledge belongs to Allah alone.
How to Perform Istikhara
Performing Istikhara is simple and deeply comforting.
- Perform two units of voluntary prayer (rak‘ah).
- After completing the prayer, recite the dua of Istikhara, asking Allah to guide you toward what is best.
- Trust that Allah will guide your heart and circumstances toward what is خير (good) for you.
Istikhara is not about waiting for a dream or a dramatic sign. Often, Allah’s guidance comes through clarity in the heart, ease in a decision, or doors opening and closing naturally.
It is a reminder that we are never navigating life alone.
Dua for Istikhara
Istikhara du’a in Arabic:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ (—mention matter here—) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي، أَوْ قَالَ: فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ، فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ.
وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي، أَوْ قَالَ: فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ، فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي.
Transliteration of the du’a of istikhara:
Allāhumma innī astakhīruka biʿilmik, wa astaqdiruka biqudratik, wa as’aluka min faḍlikal-ʿaẓīm, fa’innaka taqdiru wa lā aqdir, wa taʿlamu wa lā aʿlam, wa anta ʿallāmul-ghuyūb.
Allāhumma in kunta taʿlamu anna hādhā al-amra (—mention matter here—) khayrun lī fī dīnī wa maʿāshī wa ʿāqibati amrī, aw qāla: fī ʿājili amrī wa ājilih, faqdurhu lī wa yassirhu lī, thumma bārik lī fīh.
Wa in kunta taʿlamu anna hādhā al-amra sharrun lī fī dīnī wa maʿāshī wa ʿāqibati amrī, aw qāla: fī ʿājili amrī wa ājilih, faṣrifhu ʿannī waṣrifnī ʿanhu, waqdur lī al-khayra ḥaythu kāna, thumma arḍinī.
Translation of the du’a of istikhara:
“O Allah, I seek Your guidance [in making a choice] by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek ability by virtue of Your power and I ask You of Your great bounty. You have power, I have none. And You know, I do not know. You are the Knower of the unseen.
O Allah, if You know that this matter (—mention it here—) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood and for my life in the Hereafter then ordain it for me, make it easy for me and bless it for me.
And if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood and my life in the Hereafter, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it and ordain for me what is good wherever it may be, and make me pleased with it.”
Teaching Children to Begin the New Year with Faith
The Islamic New Year is also a beautiful opportunity to introduce children to the Islamic calendar and the significance of Muharram.
Simple conversations at home can help children feel connected to their faith. Talk about why Muharram is special, why Muslims fast on Ashura, and how we ask Allah for guidance when making decisions.
Small reminders and affirmations can also help nurture confidence in their Islamic identity.
Kids Islamic Affirmation Cards (Physical)
Our Kids Islamic Affirmation Cards are designed to gently reinforce these values. It encourages children to trust Allah, make dua, and build positive Islamic habits from a young age.
Sometimes the smallest daily reminders plant the strongest seeds of faith.
A Simple Habit to start the New Year
As the new Islamic year begins, consider starting with a simple but powerful habit: Fast on the days of Ashura.
Aim to fast either: 9th and 10th of Muharram, or 10th and 11th of Muharram.
The Prophet ﷺ taught that fasting on the 10th of Muharram expiates the sins of the previous year, a beautiful way to begin the new year with a clean slate.
So instead of asking “How will I celebrate the New Year?” perhaps the better question is: “How will I grow closer to Allah this year?“
May Allah allow us to experience the blessings of these sacred days, accept our worship, and one day grant us the opportunity to visit His sacred house in Mecca. Ameen 🤲
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With love and peace, Amani & Dania 💗