The month of Muharram marks the first month of the Islamic calendar and is one of the four sacred months of Allah (SWT). The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“The division of time has turned to its original form which was current when Allah created the Heavens and the Earths. The year is made up of twelve months, out of which four months are sacred. Three are in succession: Zulkaedah, Zulhijjah, Muharram, and Rejab of (the tribe of) Mudar which comes between Jumada (Jamadil Awwal and Jamadil Akhir) and Sha’ban.”

(Sahih Al-Bukhari)

In this blessed month, the rewards of doing good deeds are substantial. It is a time of reflection, renewal, and seeking Allah (SWT)’s blessings for the coming year. As we embark on this new journey, it is essential to make heartfelt du’as to seek guidance, forgiveness, and blessings from Allah (SWT). Here are five important du’as you can make for the Islamic New Year.

1. Du’a for a New Month

Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Hisham RA reports that the Sahabah RA would learn the following du’a for when the new month or new year would begin:

اللّهم أَدْخِلْهُ عَلينا بِالأمْنِ وَالإيمان، وَالسَّلامَةِ وَالإسْلام، وِجوارٍ مِّنَ الشَّيْطان، وَرِضْوَانٍ مِّنَ الرَّحْمن

Allahumma adkhilhu ‘alayna bil amni wal iman, was salamati wal islam, wa jiwarim minash shaytan, wa ridwanim minar Rahman.

 “O Allah, bring this [month or year] upon us with security, iman, safety, Islam, protection from shaytan, and your pleasure.” (Mu’jamus Sahabah of Baghawi, & Al-Mu’jamul Awsat of Tabarani, Hadith: 6237)

This du’a is a general prayer for the arrival of the new year which we want to be filled with success, spiritual growth, and following the teachings of Islam.

2. Du’a for Seeking Forgiveness

The Islamic New Year is an excellent time to reflect on our past actions and seek forgiveness from Allah (SWT). This du’a acknowledges our imperfections and seeks Allah SWT’s forgiveness, enabling us to start the new year with a clean slate.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“The most superior way of asking for forgiveness from Allah SWT is:

اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ، خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ، وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ، أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ، وَأَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِي، فَاغْفِرْ لِي، فَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ‏.‏ إِذَا قَالَ حِينَ يُمْسِي فَمَاتَ دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ ـ أَوْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ ـ وَإِذَا قَالَ حِينَ يُصْبِحُ فَمَاتَ مِنْ يَوْمِهِ ‏”‏‏

‘Allahumma anta Rabbi la ilaha illa anta. Khalaqtani wa ana `Abduka, wa ana ‘ala ‘ahdika wa Wa’dika mastata’tu abu’u Laka bi ni ‘matika wa abu’u Laka bidhanbi; faghfirli fa’innahu la yaghfiru-dh-dhunuba ill a ant a. A’uidhu bika min sharri ma sana’tu.’ If somebody recites this invocation during the night, and if he should die then, he will go to Paradise (or he will be from the people of Paradise). And if he recites it in the morning, and if he should die on the same day, he will have the same fate.” 

“O Allah! You are my Lord. None has the right to be worshiped except You. You created me and I am your servant and I abide by your covenant and promise as best I can. I seek refuge in you from the evil, which I have committed. I acknowledge your favor upon me and I acknowledge my sins, so forgive me, for verily none can forgive sin except you.” (Bukhari)

3. Du’a for a Sound Heart and Beneficial Knowledge

Seeking knowledge is highly encouraged in Islam as is Tazkiyah – purifying our heart to attain the state of Ihsan (excellence) and what better way to do it than to ask Allah (SWT)’s help. 

It was narrated that Abu Hurairah (RA) said:

“One of the supplications that the Prophet (ﷺ) used to say was

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عِلْمٍ لاَ يَنْفَعُ, وَمِنْ دُعَاءٍ لاَ يُسْمَعُ, وَمَنْ قَلْبٍ لاَ يَخْشَعُ, وَمِنْ نَفْسٍ لاَ تَشْبَعُ

Allahumma inni a’uzu bika min ‘ilmin la yanfa’, wa min du’a-in la yusma’, wa min qalbin la yakhsha’, wa min nafsin la tashba’.”

“O Allah, I seek refuge with You from knowledge that does not bring benefit, from a supplication that is not heard, from a heart that does not fear (You) and from a soul that never satisfies.”

(Sunan Ibn Majah)

4. Du’a for Comprehensive Security 

A short but most powerful du’a.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْعَافِيَةَ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ‏

Allahumma innee as-alukal aafiyata fid-duniya wal-aakhirah

“O Allah, I ask You for well-being in this world and in the Hereafter.”

(Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 726)

Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib (RA) said that he requested the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) to teach him a supplication whereby he May request Allah (SWT) for his needs. The Prophet (ﷺ) said,”0 Abbas, ask Allah for aafiyah (security). After some days, he again met the Prophet (ﷺ) and asked,” Teach me a supplication to beseech Allah (SWT) for my want.” He (ﷺ) said, “O Abbas! O uncle of the messenger of Allah! Ask Allah for aafiyah (security) in this world and the next.”

But What is Afiyah?

Afiyah means having complete protection from afflictions, good health, forgiveness of Allah (SWT) and means to provide for you and your family. Basically every form of security you can think of is encompassed in the word Aafiyah. This includes both Dunya and Akhirah.

When we ask Allah (SWT) to be saved from any distress, grief, hardship, harm, trials and tribulations, all of that and much more is included in this simple dua.

5. Du’a for Anxiety and Sorrow

Du’a is a powerful tool for seeking solace and relief in difficult times. It is a heartfelt conversation with our Creator, where we express our deepest concerns and seek comfort and guidance. 

Making du’a is a reminder for us that we are not alone in our struggles.

اللّهُـمَّ إِنِّي عَبْـدُكَ ابْنُ عَبْـدِكَ ابْنُ أَمَتِـكَ نَاصِيَتِي بِيَـدِكَ مَاضٍ فِيَّ حُكْمُكَ عَدْلٌ فِيَّ قَضَاؤكَ أَسْأَلُـكَ بِكُلِّ اسْمٍ هُوَ لَكَ سَمَّـيْتَ بِهِ نَفْسَكَ أِوْ أَنْزَلْتَـهُ فِي كِتَابِكَ أَوْ عَلَّمْـتَهُ أَحَداً مِنْ خَلْقِـكَ أَوِ اسْتَـأْثَرْتَ بِهِ فِي عِلْمِ الغَيْـبِ عِنْـدَكَ أَنْ تَجْـعَلَ القُرْآنَ رَبِيـعَ قَلْبِـي وَنورَ صَـدْرِي وجَلَاءَ حُـزْنِي وذَهَابَ هَمِّـي

Allāhumma innī `abduk, ibnu `abdik, ibnu amatik, nāsiyatī biyadik, māḍin fiyya ḥukmuk, `adlun fiyya qaḍā’uk, as’aluka bikullis’min huwa lak, sammayta bihi nafsak, aw anzaltahu fī kitābik, aw `allamtahu aḥadan min khalqik, aw‘ista’tharta bihi fī `ilmil-ghaybi `indak, an taj`ala ‘l-Qur’āna rabī`a qalbī, wa nūra ṣadrī, wa jalā’a ḥuznī, wa dhahāba hammī.

“O Allah, I am Your slave, and the son of Your male slave, and the son of your female slave. My forehead is in Your Hand (i.e. you have control over me). Your Judgment upon me is assured, and Your Decree concerning me is just. I ask You by every Name that You have named Yourself with, revealed in Your Book, taught any one of Your creation, or kept unto Yourself in the knowledge of the unseen that is with You, to make the Qur’an the spring of my heart, and the light of my chest, the banisher of my sadness, and the reliever of my distress.”

(Hisn al-Muslim 120)

As we embark on the Islamic New Year, making heartfelt du’as can bring us closer to Allah (SWT), seeking His (SWT) guidance, forgiveness, and blessings. By turning to Allah (SWT) in supplication, we express our dependence on Him (SWT) and our desire to improve ourselves spiritually and morally. May Allah (SWT) accept our duas and grant us a blessed and successful year. Ameen.