Sunni One

Islamic New Year 2027: Date in India and Meaning

The Islamic New Year begins on 1 Muharram, the first month of the Hijri calendar. The calendar counts its years from the Hijrah, the Prophet's migration from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE, and was adopted in the time of the second caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab.

In India

Mon, 7 June 2027

Expected, subject to moon sighting. In Saudi Arabia (Umm al-Qura): Sun, 6 June 2027.

The year after: Fri, 26 May 2028.

Why the year begins with Muharram

Muharram is one of the four sacred months named in the Quran (9:36). A hadith lists them as Dhu al-Qa'dah, Dhu al-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab (Sahih al-Bukhari 3197).

Fasting in Muharram

The Prophet called the fast of Muharram, "God's month", the best fasting after Ramadan (Sahih Muslim 1163). The best known fast of the month is Ashura, on the 10th.

How it is observed

  • Across Sunni communitiesNo ritual is prescribed for the first day of the year. Many people exchange greetings, make dua for the year ahead and begin the month with voluntary fasts. Because Muharram is also the month of Karbala, many in India keep its first days as a time of remembrance rather than celebration.

Sources

  1. Quran 9:36
  2. Sahih al-Bukhari 3197
  3. Sahih Muslim 1163
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannica, "Islamic calendar"

Updated 6 October 2026 by the Sunni One editors, compiled from the sources above.