Celebrating Islamic New Year

By Mufti Shafiq Jakhura
Posted: 28 Muharram 1431, 14 January 2010


Q.

I have noticed many Islamic organizations and masjids wishing people “Happy New Year” in relation to the Islamic New Year. I even heard the Friday sermon asking people to make personal resolutions for the New Year.
 
Is there any evidence in the Quran and Sunnah to commemorate the start of a new Islamic year by doing any specific acts on this day, such as sending each other greetings or making resolutions, or is this behavior among Muslims just another form, like Eid Greeting cards, of imitating the Christians in how they celebrate and commemorate their events?

 


A.According to my knowledge celebrating the Islamic New Year and sending messages commemorating the same is not an established teaching of Islam. Rather, it seems that this practice has been taken from the practices of other cultures and religions and hence must be avoided. One should not wait for the new year to make resolutions with regards to one's spiritual upliftment and working towards achieving them. Good deeds and taubah should never ever be delayed.

And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

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