Islamic New Year Countdown 2026
Expected Date of 1st Muharram 1448 AH: Loading…
★ Islamic New Year has passed. Welcome to the new Hijri year! ★
What is Islamic New Year?
The Islamic New Year (Raʻs as-Sanah al-Hijriyyah) falls on the 1st of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic Hijri calendar. The Hijri calendar was established during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) and marks its epoch from the Hijra — the migration of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE. It is a lunar calendar of 12 months totalling 354 or 355 days.
The Month of Muharram
Muharram is one of the four sacred months in Islam and holds the honour of being “Allah’s Month.” The Prophet ﷺ said: “The best of fasting after Ramadan is the Month of Allah, Muharram.” (Sahih Muslim). The most blessed day within Muharram is Ashura (10th Muharram), which carries immense reward for fasting and worship.
When is Islamic New Year 2026?
The Islamic New Year 2026 marks the beginning of 1448 AH (After Hijra). It falls on the 1st of Muharram, and since the Islamic calendar is lunar, the exact Gregorian date depends on moon sighting. The countdown above fetches the accurate date from the Islamicdate.today. In 2026, the Islamic New Year is expected to fall in late June, subject to official crescent moon announcements.
The Hijri Calendar: A Brief History
The Islamic Hijri calendar was formally established in 17 AH (638 CE) under the second Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA). Before this, there was no standardised year-counting system in Arabia. Umar consulted the companions and they agreed to count from the Hijra (migration) of the Prophet ﷺ from Makkah to Madinah, which took place in 622 CE. The calendar has 12 lunar months: Muharram, Safar, Rabiʼ al-Awwal, Rabiʼ al-Thani, Jumada al-Awwal, Jumada al-Thani, Rajab, Shaʼban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhul Qaʼda, and Dhul Hijjah.
How Do Muslims Observe Islamic New Year?
Unlike the Gregorian New Year, the Islamic New Year is not a festival with specific prescribed celebrations. Islam does not prescribe special prayers or rituals for this occasion. However, it is an excellent time for Muslims to reflect on the year passed, renew their intentions (niyyah), set spiritual goals for the coming year, increase their worship, and begin the month of Muharram with sincere fasting — especially on the 10th (Ashura).
Islamic New Year and Ashura
The Islamic New Year begins the sacred month of Muharram, and just ten days later comes Ashura — one of the most rewarding days in the Islamic year. The Ashura countdown on our site helps you track this blessed day and prepare your fasting intentions. Together, the Islamic New Year and Ashura make the first two weeks of Muharram a deeply significant spiritual period.
Frequently Asked Questions