16/06/2026
THE ISLAMIC POSITION ON WISHING “HAPPY ISLAMIC NEW YEAR”
A Clarification Based on the Qur’an, Sunnah, and Understanding of the Salaf
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon Muhammad, his family, his companions, and all those who follow their path until the Day of Judgment.
Dear brothers and sisters in Islam,
As the month of Muharram arrives, many Muslims exchange greetings such as “Happy Islamic New Year.” While the intention behind this practice is often good, Islam is not based on intentions alone, but on revelation, evidence, and adherence to the Sunnah.
This lecture seeks to clarify the Islamic ruling, not to attack individuals, but to preserve the purity of the religion as it was revealed.
Islam Is a Religion of Revelation, Not Innovation
Allah says:
“This day I have perfected for you your religion, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen Islam as your religion.”
(Qur’an 5:3)
This verse establishes a fundamental principle:
Nothing can be added to Islam after its completion.
Any act of worship or religious practice not legislated by Allah and His Messenger ﷺ is rejected.
There Is No Evidence for Celebrating or Greeting the Islamic New Year
1. The Prophet ﷺ Never Practiced It
Despite witnessing the passing of years and the arrival of Muharram repeatedly, the Prophet ﷺ never:
* Celebrated the Islamic New Year
* Gave special greetings for it
* Encouraged others to do so
* If such an act were good, he would have been the first to teach us.
2. The Companions Never Practiced It
The Hijri calendar itself was introduced later during the caliphate of ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (رضي الله عنه) purely for administrative purposes, not as a religious festival.
Neither ʿUmar, nor the Sahabah, nor the Tabi‘un ever celebrated or congratulated one another on the New Year.
3. Islam Has Only Two Celebrations
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Allah has replaced them for you with two days better than them:
Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.”
(Abu Dawud – authentic)
This hadith closes the door to introducing new religious celebrations, whether called cultural or spiritual.
Wishing “Happy Islamic New Year” Falls Under Bid‘ah (Innovation)
The Prophet ﷺ warned:
“Whoever introduces into this matter of ours that which is not from it, it is rejected.”
(Bukhari & Muslim)
Religious greetings tied to specific times become acts of worship (‘ibadah) and ‘ibadah requires evidence.
Therefore, it cannot be attributed to Islam.
Imitating Other Religious Cultures
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever imitates a people is one of them.”
(Abu Dawud – Hasan)
New Year greetings originate from non-Islamic religious cultures, and Islam strictly warns against borrowing religious symbols and rituals from others.
What Should Muslims Do Instead in Muharram?
Muharram is indeed a sacred month, as Allah says:
“Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve… among them are four sacred months.”
(Qur’an 9:36)
Authentic Sunnah Practices in Muharram:
* Increased voluntary fasting
* Especially fasting ʿAshura (10th of Muharram)
* Repentance and self-accountability
* Renewing sincerity and obedience to Allah
These are legislated acts, not greetings or celebrations.
Dear brothers and sisters,
We must:
Correct practices without harshness
Educate without arrogance
Advise with wisdom
Allah says:
“Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction.”
(Qur’an 16:125)
Those who say “Happy Islamic New Year” often do so out of love for Islam not rebellion.
Our duty is clarification, not condemnation of individuals.
May Allah grant us correct understanding, firm adherence to the Sunnah, and unity upon the truth.
Wa salallahu ala habeebina Muhammad wa sallim.
Sirajuddeen Ugwu Nwansukka ゚viralシfypシ゚viralシalシ
