Muharram and the Islamic New Year
This is the first month of the Islamic calendar and one of its four sacred months.
Its Gregorian date shifts about 10 to 11 days earlier each year, like every Hijri date. The Hijri New Year and the Day of Ashura both fall within it.
The basics
The month, in short
1st
Day the Hijri New Year begins
10th
Day of Ashura
4
Sacred months in the Islamic year
Ashura
Recommended fasting day
The Day of Ashura
The 10th day of the month is the Day of Ashura. It carries deep significance across the Muslim world. Different communities remember it in different ways.
Many Sunni Muslims fast on Ashura and often on the day before or after. The Prophet Muhammad fasted on it. It is remembered as the day Allah saved the Prophet Musa (Moses) and his people. The fast is recommended, not obligatory.
For Shia Muslims Ashura is a day of mourning. It commemorates the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala. It is observed with gatherings and remembrance.
A quieter New Year
The 1st of the month marks the start of a new Hijri year, also called the Islamic New Year. Years are counted from the Hijrah, the Prophet Muhammad's migration from Makkah to Madinah.
Unlike the Gregorian New Year, it is generally observed quietly. Most communities mark it through reflection rather than large public celebration.
Observing the month in Sydney
The month is sacred. Fighting was traditionally forbidden in the four sacred months. So it is seen as a time of peace, quiet reflection and extra worship.
A well-known hadith in Sahih Muslim calls fasting in this month the best fasting after Ramadan. Many people fast on extra days, especially around Ashura.
Shia mosques and community centres commonly hold gatherings, known as majalis, during the first ten days. Times and places differ. Check with your local mosque or find one in the mosque directory.
To see today's Hijri date, open the Islamic tab on the calendar page.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Muharram? +
It is the first month of the Islamic calendar. Its Gregorian start moves about 10 to 11 days earlier each year. The exact day is confirmed locally by moon sighting or astronomical calculation.
What is the Day of Ashura? +
It is the 10th day of the month. Many Sunni Muslims fast on it in remembrance of the day Allah saved the Prophet Musa (Moses). Shia Muslims observe it as a day of mourning for the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali at Karbala.
Why do Sunni and Shia Muslims observe Ashura differently? +
They remember the day for different reasons. Many Sunnis fast in gratitude for the deliverance of Musa and his people. Shia Muslims mourn the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali at Karbala. Both are long-standing traditions.
Is this the Islamic New Year? +
Yes. The 1st of the month begins a new Hijri year. It is usually observed more quietly than the Gregorian New Year and without major public celebration.
Is fasting recommended in this month? +
Yes. Fasting on Ashura is commonly recommended along with the day before or after. It is different from the obligatory fast of Ramadan.
Why does the Islamic New Year change date every year? +
The Islamic calendar is lunar and about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year. So the Hijri New Year moves roughly 10 to 11 days earlier each year.