Islamic New Year 1442 H
History and Meaning of the Islamic New Year 1442 H
In 2020 AD, the Islamic New Year, 1 Muharram 1442 H, coincided with Thursday, August 8, 2020. Islam has 12 months in one year. The names of the months in the Hijri calendar are: Muharram, Safar, Rabiul Awal, Rabiul Akhir/Rabi’uts Tsany, Jumadil Awal, Jumadil Akhir/Jumadits Tsany, Rajab, Syakban, Ramadan, Syawal, Zulkaidah, and Zulhijah. Among the twelve months, there are what are called the sacred months (al-asyhur al-hurum): Zulkaidah, Zulhijah, Muharram, and Rajab.
Origin of the Hijri Calendar
The Hijri New Year, or Islamic New Year, is an important day for Muslims because it marks a significant event in Islamic history: the migration (hijrah) of the Prophet Muhammad SAW from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE. This historic event occurred on 1 Muharram, the first day of the Hijri calendar.
The Hijri calendar was not officially established during the time of the Prophet SAW. It was only instituted during the era of the second Rightly-Guided Caliph, Umar al-Faruq RA. There were several suggestions from the Companions for determining the starting date: some proposed that the Islamic year begin with the birth of the Prophet Muhammad SAW, others suggested the day he was appointed as a prophet and messenger. However, the view that prevailed was to begin the Islamic calendar from the date of the Prophet’s migration.
This decision was made to commemorate the importance of the Hijrah as a paradigm shift in Islamic history. It was the first time a prophet and messenger established governance amid great difficulty, built diplomatic relations with other regions, and delivered the message of Islam globally — enabling Islam to spread throughout the world.
Three Key Meanings of the Islamic New Year
For Muslims, the Islamic New Year holds deep and special meaning. Here are three meanings of the Islamic New Year:
The migration of the Prophet Muhammad SAW. 1 Muharram is also commemorated as a reminder of the momentous event when the Prophet migrated from Mecca to Medina. After the migration, Islam experienced rapid growth and spread increasingly to Mecca and surrounding regions.
The struggle of the Prophet and his Companions. The Islamic New Year is also understood as the embodiment of an unwavering spirit of struggle in spreading Islam by the Prophet Muhammad SAW and his Companions. Despite many challenges and obstacles, they never gave up or became pessimistic. The Prophet even left his birthplace, relatives, and possessions solely to fulfill the command and revelation given by Allah SWT.
Self-reflection. The turn of the Islamic New Year is also a moment for self-reflection (muhasabah). As time continues to pass, the arrival of the Islamic New Year encourages Muslims to be more introspective, to reflect upon all actions and deeds carried out over the past twelve months, and to consider what needs to be improved in the year ahead.
May the Islamic New Year 1442 H bring a renewed spirit — a spirit of change, of migrating from what is harmful toward what is good, and of remaining steadfast (istiqamah) upon the path of goodness and truth, which is Dinul Islam. Aamiin.
