In short: The Islamic New Year 1448 is a chance to reflect on the Hijrah, renew our intentions and begin the year with an act of charity.
The Islamic New Year 1448 begins with the sighting of the Muharram moon, expected around Tuesday 16th June 2026. Unlike other new years, it is not marked with fireworks or parties. For Muslims it is a quiet moment to look back, take stock and make a fresh start with Allah.
Islamic New Year 1448: why the calendar begins with the Hijrah
When the Companions agreed on a calendar during the time of Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), they did not choose the birth of the Prophet ﷺ or the first revelation. They chose the Hijrah, the migration from Makkah to Madinah. It was the moment the Muslim community became a community, with a mosque, a market and a shared way of life.
Trust in Allah in the cave of Thawr
During the journey, the Prophet ﷺ and Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) hid in the cave of Thawr while the Quraysh searched for them. Abu Bakr was afraid, not for himself but for the Prophet ﷺ. The reply he received is recorded in the Quran: “Do not grieve, indeed Allah is with us” (9:40). Whatever this new year holds for us, the same promise still stands.
The generosity of the Ansar
The Muslims who left Makkah arrived in Madinah with almost nothing. The Ansar, the people of Madinah, opened their homes and shared their land, their wealth and their food. The Prophet ﷺ paired each migrant with a local brother, and the Quran praises the Ansar for preferring others over themselves even when they were in need (59:9).
This is the spirit we try to carry in our work. Families in Pakistan who have lost homes to floods, or mothers left alone to raise children, are in the same position as those early migrants. Your support is their Ansar.
Five ways to start the new year well
- Make a sincere intention to improve one act of worship this year.
- Settle any debts or apologise to anyone you have wronged.
- Plan your fasts for the 9th and 10th of Muharram.
- Set up a small regular donation so your giving continues all year.
- Learn the story of the Hijrah with your family.
Begin 1448 with a Good Deed
Feed a struggling family in Pakistan and start the year with charity.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Islamic New Year 1448?
1 Muharram 1448 is expected on or around 16th June 2026, depending on the sighting of the moon.
Is there a special prayer for the Islamic New Year?
There is no specific obligatory prayer, but it is good to make du’a, seek forgiveness and ask Allah for a blessed year.
Why is it called the Hijri calendar?
It is named after the Hijrah, the migration of the Prophet ﷺ from Makkah to Madinah, which marks year one of the calendar.