Muharram 2025: All About the Islamic New Year
Discover everything you need to know about Muharram, including when it takes place in 2025, how it’s celebrated, and why the 10th day is so significant.
Jamy-Lee Holt
Discover everything you need to know about Muharram, including when it takes place in 2025, how it’s celebrated, and why the 10th day is so significant.
Muharram is the first of the four sacred months in the Islamic calendar, and a time of increased worship, sadaqah (charity), and reflection for the Muslim community – called the ummah.
In this article, we explain its meaning and significance, when it is expected to occur in 2025, and share more about Ashura, the 10th day of this holy month.
Also known as the “sacred month of Allah” and the Islamic New Year, Muharram is the first month on the Islamic calendar, which is called the Hijri or Lunar calendar.
As one of four sacred months in the year, approximately two billion Muslims worldwide partake in increased worship, fasting, sadaqah, and general acts of kindness during this holy month to receive multiplied blessings from Allah.
Muharram is derived from the Arabic word, “haram,” which translates to “forbidden.” Therefore, Muslims are not allowed to partake in any acts of violence or war during this time.
The Islamic New Year follows Dhul Hijjah, another holy month during which the Hajj pilgrimage occurs. The other two sacred months on the Hijri calendar are Dhul-Qadah and Rajab.
Muharram is expected to start on June 27, 2025, but is subject to change depending on the sighting of the moon. The Hijri calendar comprises 12 lunar months, with each new month determined by the sighting of a new moon.
The Islamic New Year is often referred to as the “month of Allah,” and many important historical events in Islam occurred during this period.
Early Muslims faced oppression and violence for renouncing mainstream faith. This led to their hijrah (emigration) to Medina in 622CE and the first Islamic state being established.
This holy month also commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain – the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad – who fought in the Karbala battle alongside his family and companions.
The 10th day of Muharram is called Ashura and is the most sacred day of this month.
On this day, Imam Hussain fought against the Yazid I army in Karbala and gave his life in battle. This represents an ultimate sacrifice and martyrdom. Ashura also commemorates when Allah freed the Prophet Musa (Moses) and his followers from the Pharaoh in Israel.
When the Prophet Muhammad arrived in Medina, he fasted and instructed his Muslim followers to do the same. Therefore, Muslims commemorate these significant historical acts in Islam by fasting and praying on the 9th and 10th days of the holy month.
If Muslims don’t fast on the 9th day, some also fast on the 11th day. However, fasting for as many days as possible during this sacred month is encouraged.
The ummah doesn’t celebrate the Islamic New Year the way the rest of the world celebrates the start of a new year.
Instead, Muslims become more virtuous by partaking in increased worship and repentance, acts of charity, and fasting. This is how the ummah seeks mercy and multiplied blessings for good deeds from Allah during the sacred months – including Muharram in 2025 and beyond.
Here are some virtuous sunnah (traditional practices) that are encouraged during the Islamic New Year:
Certain ummah also adorn their homes and mosques with black flags and banners to represent the profound grief felt for the loss and sacrifice of Imam Hussain on Ashura.
Visiting the mosque, spending time with family and friends, and reflecting on the previous year are also common practices during this time.
Muslims connect with Islamic organizations to give back to the ummah and the needy during the Islamic New Year. Good deeds and sadaqah toward orphaned children, widowed mothers, and the less fortunate show compassion.
These acts of charity and kindness are a way to receive multiplied blessings while honoring the memory of Imam Hussain as he fought selflessly for his community.
Masjids and Islamic organizations make it easy for the ummah to donate sadaqah, zakat, and sadaqah jariyah (ongoing charity) at mosques and fundraising events.
Here are some ways to boost charitable giving during the Islamic New Year.
Simplify the donation process for the ummah by placing a giving kiosk at the entry and exit points of your masjid.
This will encourage visitors to donate their zakat and sadaqah when they feel most inclined to give. Include donation designations to your donation kiosk to simplify the giving process!
The Donorbox Live™ Kiosk app turns your tablet and card reader or Android smartphone (iPhone coming soon!) into a cashless donation kiosk. Mosques and Islamic organizations using Donorbox Live™ see an average donation increase of 39%!
Organize an in-person or hybrid event to raise donations for the poor and needy throughout this holy month. Host an educational fundraising event and appoint a guest speaker to give a special lecture, or lead a discussion about the history, virtues, and significance of Muharram.
Sell tickets to your fundraising event online using an event ticketing tool like Donorbox Events that makes it easy for the ummah to purchase tickets online. You can also include a donation kiosk at your in-person event to encourage more donations to your cause.
Organize a donation drive and collect items for the underprivileged in your community at your masjid or Islamic charity. Motivate your ummah to donate clothes, blankets, and non-perishable food items to share with the community.
Collect sadaqah and zakat in person as people drop off donations at your location with a donation kiosk.
Streamline online giving for the ummah by creating a brand-aligned donation form that boosts supporter trust and increases donations. Embed your form on your website or host it on a Donorbox donation page for free!
Offer a variety of secure payment options to your donors, including credit/debit cards and digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. Don’t forget to add designations like sadaqah, zakat, and sadaqah jariyah to your donation form so the ummah can indicate where their gifts should go.
Add attractive videos and images, tell your fundraising story with text, and add one-time or recurring donation intervals – like daily or monthly – to your form.
For some inspiration, take a look at how this organization used a Donorbox donation page to collect donations for its VR productions on Karbala.
Looking for more ways to optimize your fundraising strategy?
Check out the video below for expert tips to increase your Islamic fundraising efforts during this holy month and beyond!
Muharram is a time of increased charity, fasting, worship, and reflection. Since it marks the start of the Islamic New Year, Muslims adopt good habits like giving back to the ummah and donating to charitable causes that assist the underprivileged.
More than 100,000 organizations – including Islamic organizations – have trusted Donorbox to help them raise a collective $3 billion and counting. Our powerful fundraising features help increase donations that mobilize your mission while driving awareness around your cause.
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