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Top 5 Things To Do On The Islamic New Year

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In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful. The Islamic New year is here with us.

If you know about the Islamic calendar then you know that the date to jump into another year is

finally here. This will be the 1442 year in the Islamic year count.  The Islamic Year which is known as

Hijra in Arabic is a time to reflect on the good even amid a pandemic that forced both

men and women to cover their faces. A time to make new plans on how we will please our Creator.

As we reflect we should always remember to share and give to the less fortunate because it is a

the command that will bear fruits.

Somalia, an East African country that is known for its beautiful beaches and Islam as the main

religion looks at the Islamic New Year as an important day to mark as compared to its neighbor

Kenya on the west. Sudan is also one of the countries that recognize this important day of the year

in East Africa. 

In Kenya, the North-Eastern region majorly with Cushitic settlers who are mostly Islam is where

these celebrations are recognized with utmost reverence. Islamic New Year will occur on the dusk of

the last day of Dhu-Hijjah which is the last day of the year. It will end on the dawn of Muharram,

the first month of the Islamic year. This will be the sunset of 9th August 2021 and sunrise on 10th

August in the Gregorian calendar. Muharram is one of the Holy months in the Islamic calendar.

It is a perfect time for people to gather, though under restrictions due to Covid-19.

What is the significance of Hijra The Islamic New Year

Hijra is the journey of Prophet Mohammed (SAW) and his companions from Makkah to Madinah.

A city they established to have Islam practice without any restrictions. In the Arab World, it was a

month of non-violence. Tribesmen laid their weapons, it was a peaceful month. 

The word Hijra is translated as migrate in English from Arabic. 


For many Muslims, the New Year represents a period for self-reflection and historical awareness.

Prayers and fasting build-up towards the tenth day of Muharram, known as Ashura.

New moon above a valley

Things To Do On The Islamic New Year

As opposed to Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha Islamic New Year is a low-key celebration.

The government of Kenya has never in any time recognized this day publicly.

However, Kushites mark it not as a public holiday but as a day that is important in Islam. But what

do people in the North-Eastern part of Kenya do on this day? 

The New Year celebrations vary from country to country but remembering what is said in the

history of Islam after Hijra Prophet Mohammed (SAW) declared in the constitution of Medina that

Muslims are a universal brotherhood with a unique identity in faith and ideology. The

differences are minimal. 

Here is a list of what they do and what you can do in any part of Kenya, Somalia, or anywhere in the

world.

It is worth noting that Islamic states mark it as an important day compared to other countries that

are not.

Photo by samer daboul from Pexels

Read the Quran

You can read the Quran. Take time and read a lot of suras or juz as possible more than your

normal readings.

You can also read Islam history books that may remind you of the story of Hijra and how far the

religion has come.

Spend with family

For those that take a break from work and business to mark this day, spending time with their

families after prayers is a good option.

You can take your family out or just spend time at home.

Fasting

This is a choice. You can choose to deny yourself food to get near Allah.

Just as some believers fast before Eid-ul-Adha that is on the 9th day the day of Arafa.

The Prophet (SAW) has said: ‘The best fasts after the fasts of Ramadhan are those of the month of

Muharram.’

Giving to the less fortunate 

Being the beginning of a new season, you can visit orphanages or hospitals and give out food and

other things that these people need.

It can be the time to share with your neighbors and even your extended family.

Planning

As a Muslim, you need to plan the year ahead of you and ponder the year you left and start

evaluating your self and gauge your Imaan barometer. The Imaam of a man increase and

decreases.

According to scholars, the baseline for the celebrations of this day is reflection.

Remember the things that Allah has done and give thanks And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.’

Surah Ibrahim Verse 7 | 14:7 ابراهيم

It is time to reflect on your life and how your time to live on earth is elapsing.

Time to plan to do things that will give you more thawab from the Maker. 

It is worth noting, the Islamic calendar is different from the Gregorian calendar.

The Gregorian calendar has 365 days while the Islamic calendar is 11 days shorter with 354 days.

The Islamic calendar uses the revolution of the moon as opposed to the Western calendar which

uses the revolution of the sun. 

One important reflection of the Hijra is the migration of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) from

Mekka where there was a plan to execute him.

One reason why Islamic states like Saudi Arabia marks this time of the year with relevance is;

Medina city, the city Prophet Mohammed migrated to establish Islam is in Saudi Arabia.

Medina was the place of refuge from the persecution Muslims were facing in the hands of

unbelievers in Mecca. 

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