19/06/2026
Welcoming the New Islamic Year 1448 – The Sacred Month of Muharram
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ لِلَّهِ نَحْمَدُهُ وَنَسْتَعِينُهُ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُهُ، وَنَعُوذُ بِاللهِ مِنْ شُرُورِ أَنْفُسِنَا وَسَيِّئَاتِ أَعْمَالِنَا، مَنْ يَهْدِهِ اللهُ فَلَا مُضِلَّ لَهُ، وَمَنْ يُضْلِلْ فَلَا هَادِيَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ سَيِّدَنَا مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ، صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ وَسَلَّمَ تَسْلِيمًا كَثِيرًا.
The Sacredness of Muharram – The Month of Allah
Dear brothers and sisters in Islam,
We stand today at the threshold of a new beginning. The crescent moon has been sighted, and we have entered the sacred month of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic year 1448. This is a moment for us to pause, reflect, and renew our commitment to our Creator.
Muharram holds a unique and elevated status in Islam. It is one of the four sacred months mentioned by Allah in the Qur’an:
إِنَّ عِدَّةَ ٱلشُّهُورِ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًۭا فِى كِتَـٰبِ ٱللَّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ مِنْهَآ أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌۭ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْقَيِّمُ ۚ فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا۟ فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمْ
“Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve months, in the Book of Allah, on the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred.” (Surah At-Tawbah, 9:36)
Among these four, Muharram is particularly honoured. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) referred to it as “the Month of Allah” – a title of immense distinction that underscores its special place in our faith. This sanctity means that righteous deeds performed in this month carry amplified rewards, and likewise, we must be extra vigilant against sin, as transgressions during these sacred months are more weighty.
The Legacy of Ashura
The 10th day of Muharram – the Day of Ashura – is a day of profound historical and spiritual significance. It was on this day that Allah saved Prophet Musa (Moses) and his people from the tyranny of Pharaoh. In gratitude, Prophet Musa fasted on this day. When the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) came to Medina and witnessed the Jews fasting on Ashura, he proclaimed: نَحْنُ أَحَقُّ بِمُوسَى مِنْكُمْ “We have more right to Musa than you.” He then fasted on this day and commanded the Muslims to do the same.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also taught us to differentiate ourselves from the People of the Book by fasting on the 9th day along with the 10th.
The Spirit of Hijrah and New Beginnings
This new year does not mark just the passage of time. It commemorates the Hijrah – the migration of our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions from Makkah to Madinah. It was a journey of sacrifice, perseverance, and unwavering trust in Allah.
When the Prophet and Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) sought refuge in the cave of Thawr, fleeing from their persecutors, Abu Bakr grew anxious. The Prophet comforted him with these profound words: :
إِلَّا تَنصُرُوهُ فَقَدْ نَصَرَهُ اللَّهُ إِذْ أَخْرَجَهُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا ثَانِيَ اثْنَيْنِ إِذْ هُمَا فِي الْغَارِ إِذْ يَقُولُ لِصَاحِبِهِ لَا تَحْزَنْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَنَا
“Except you help him, God already helped him when those who disbelieved drove him out, the second of two, when they were both in the cave, when he said to his companion, ‘Do not grieve; indeed God is with us.’”
This, my brothers and sisters, is the essence of Hijrah – a transition not just of place, but of the soul. It is a movement from darkness to light, from heedlessness to awareness, from sin to repentance.
What Can We Do to Earn Rewards in Muharram?
Now, how do we make the most of this blessed month? How do we earn the pleasure and rewards of Allah?
1. The Excellent Practice of Fasting
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: أَفْضَلُ الصِّيَامِ بَعْدَ رَمَضَانَ شَهْرُ اللَّهِ الْمُحَرَّمُ
“The best fasting after Ramadan is the month of Allah – Muharram.” Narrated by Muslim (1163).
Fasting in Muharram carries immense reward. The most virtuous fast is on the Day of Ashura (the 10th), for which the Prophet said: صِيَامُ يَوْمِ عَاشُورَاءَ، أَحْتَسِبُ عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يُكَفِّرَ السَّنَةَ الَّتِي قَبْلَهُ “Fasting the day of Ashura, I hope that Allah will expiate the sins of the year that came before it.” Narrated by Muslim (1162).
To best observe this Sunnah, we are encouraged to fast: The 9th and 10th of Muharram (to differ from the Jews), or the 10th and 11th of Muharram.
2. Intensifying Acts of Worship
We should fill our days with righteous deeds. This is a time to:
Recite and reflect upon the Qur’an – make it a daily habit to connect with the words of Allah.
Increase in Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and istighfar (seeking forgiveness). Engage in the remembrance of Allah consistently throughout your day.
Give charity – generosity is a hallmark of the believer. Charity extinguishes sin and purifies wealth.
3. Spiritual Reflection and Self-Improvement
This is a time for self-accountability. Reflect on the past year: what brought us closer to Allah, and what distracted us? Let us resolve to improve our prayers, our character, and our interactions with others.
4. Honouring the Legacy of Imam Hussain (RA)
Muharram is also deeply connected to the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (may Allah be pleased with him), the beloved grandson of our Prophet. His stand at Karbala was a timeless example of resistance against oppression and unwavering commitment to truth and justice.
While we remember and honour his sacrifice, we must ensure our observance aligns with the Sunnah. The Prophet strictly prohibited wailing, tearing of clothes, and self-harm. Such actions are not from our faith. Instead, we honour Imam Hussain by learning from his courage, by standing against injustice, by fostering unity, and by upholding the values he died for – truth, justice, and patience.
How Should We Welcome the New Year of 1448?
To welcome this new year, we must do so with sincerity and action.
Return to the Fundamentals
The lesson of the sacred months is the sanctity of human life, property, and honour. The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught us in his Farewell Sermon: “Your blood, your wealth and your honour are as sacred as this day of yours, in this month of yours, in this city of yours.” We must recommit to safeguarding one another’s rights.
Renew Our Intentions
Make a firm commitment to abandon bad habits and replace them with good ones. Let this be a year where we are more mindful of Allah, more dutiful in our prayers, and more beneficial to our communities. We must seek to spread tolerance, brotherhood, and mutual respect and reject sectarianism and hatred.
Prioritise Unity
The enemies of Islam seek to divide us. Let us draw closer together, support the vulnerable, and uphold the bonds of brotherhood. We are like one body; when one part suffers, the entire body suffers.
Conclusion & Du'a
Dear believers, this month of Muharram is a gift from Allah—a chance to reset our spiritual compass and draw nearer to Him. Do not let this opportunity pass you by. Start the year with fasting, prayer, charity, and a renewed commitment to your faith.
We pray to Allah, the Most Merciful, that He accepts our deeds, forgives our shortcomings, and makes this new Islamic year one of peace, prosperity, and spiritual growth for the entire Ummah.
O Allah, we have wronged ourselves greatly, and none can forgive our sins except You. So forgive us and have mercy on us. Indeed, You are the Most Forgiving, Most Merciful. Amin, ya Rabbal Aalamin.
