Is the Prayer for the Islamic New Year an Innovation?

Amid the upcoming arrival of the Islamic New Year 1448 Hijriyah in mid-June, the tradition of communal prayer at the end and beginning of the year is once again being widely observed by Muslims in various regions. However, amid this enthusiasm, some groups claim that the tradition of reciting prayers to welcome the month of Muharram has no foundation from the Prophet Muhammad SAW, and thus categorise it as a bid’ah (unlawful innovation).

An author from Rumah Fiqih Indonesia, Ustaz Firman Arifandi, explained that the tradition of reciting prayers to welcome the month of Muharram is not a baseless practice. According to him, a practice cannot simply be deemed heretical as long as it does not contradict the Quran, the Sunnah, scholarly consensus (ijma), or the traditions of the companions.

He pointed to evidence believed to be a practice of the Prophet’s companions through a narration by Abdullah bin Hisham in Al-Mu’jam Al-Awsath by Imam Tabrani. The narration states that the companions of the Prophet Muhammad SAW would learn this supplication upon the arrival of a new year or month: ‘O Allah, bring it upon us with security, faith, safety, and Islam, and with the pleasure of the Most Gracious and protection from the devil.’