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In case you didn't know, this Friday is a public holiday — but not just any day off. It marks Awal Muharram, also known as the Islamic New Year.
While many of us enjoy the long weekend, not everyone is familiar with the significance of this important day in the Muslim calendar.
So, why exactly is it observed, and what makes it significant?
Here are five things you might not know about Awal Muharram:
1. The name "Muharram" literally means "forbidden"
According to Islam Q&A, the word Muharram comes from the Arabic root ḥ‑r‑m, which means both forbidden and sacred.
This name reflects the month's special status in Islamic tradition, during which warfare and violence are considered forbidden.
Overall, the name's meaning highlights its dignity and spiritual sanctity.
2. Muharram is one of Islam's four sacred months
According to AP News, Muharram belongs to a select group of four sacred months in Islam, during which spiritual reflection is encouraged.
This peaceful tone shapes how Muslims observe the New Year.
3. Many Muslims fast on "Ashura", the 10th day of Muharram
According to hadith, when Prophet Muhammad SAW arrived in Medina, he found Jews fasting on the 10th of Muharram (Ashura) and asked why.
According to Muhammadiyah, the fasting commemorates Prophet Musa's (Moses) escape from Pharaoh. Allah saved Musa and drowned Pharaoh's army in the Red Sea.
Prophet Muhammad SAW responded, "We are closer to Musa than you," and encouraged Muslims to fast on that day in gratitude.
4. It commemorates Prophet Muhammad's (SAW) migration in 622 CE
The start of Muharram marks the Hijrah, when Prophet Muhammad SAW and his followers journeyed from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE.
According to AP News, this migration laid the foundation for the first Muslim community and serves as the starting point for the Islamic lunar calendar.
5. Muharram begins with the sighting of the new moon
According to AP News, the Islamic calendar is lunar, so Muharram starts when the new crescent moon is first sighted.
That date can differ by a day across countries, depending on the moon's visibility.
In 2025, multiple Islamic authorities around the world expect Awal Muharram to fall on 26 June, opening the year 1447 AH.
