Celebrating new year in islam is haram

A sensitive topic!

In Islam, the celebration of New Year's Day, also known as the Gregorian calendar's January 1st, is not explicitly mentioned in the Quran or the Hadith (the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad). However, many Islamic scholars and authorities have issued fatwas (religious edicts) and opinions on the matter.

The majority of Islamic scholars consider celebrating New Year's Day to be haram (forbidden) or makruh (disliked) for several reasons:

  1. Lack of Islamic basis: There is no explicit mention of New Year's Day in the Quran or the Hadith, which is a fundamental principle in Islam. Muslims are not commanded to celebrate it.
  2. Imitation of non-Muslims: Celebrating New Year's Day is often seen as imitating non-Muslims, which is discouraged in Islam. Muslims are encouraged to maintain their distinct identity and not adopt practices that are not part of their faith.
  3. Focus on worldly pleasures: New Year's celebrations often involve excessive eating, drinking, and merriment, which can lead to a focus on worldly pleasures rather than spiritual growth and self-reflection.
  4. Potential for innovation: Celebrating New Year's Day can be seen as an innovation (bid'ah) in Islam, which is generally discouraged. Muslims are encouraged to follow the practices of the early Muslim community and avoid introducing new practices that are not based on Islamic principles.

However, it's important to note that not all Islamic scholars agree on this matter. Some argue that celebrating New Year's Day is not haram, as long as it is done in a way that is not contrary to Islamic principles and does not involve excessive or sinful behavior.

Ultimately, the decision to celebrate or not celebrate New Year's Day is a personal choice that depends on individual circumstances and interpretations of Islamic law. Muslims who choose to celebrate New Year's Day should ensure that their actions are in line with Islamic values and principles.