As we approach the end of 2018 and the start of 2019, the annual question of how Muslims should view the celebration of New Year’s Eve inevitably arises again. The night of December 31st is commonly celebrated around the non-Muslim world with fireworks and raucous partying. In reality, New Year’s Eve holds no weight in Islam. It originated amongst Roman pagans and over time transformed into a day to celebrate a beginning of a new year.    Anas ibn Malik narrated,

“When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came to Medina, the people had two days on which they engaged in games. He asked: What are these two days (what is the significance)? They said: We used to engage ourselves on them in the pre-Islamic period. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Allah has substituted for them something better than them, the day of sacrifice (Eid al Adha) and the day of the breaking of the fast (Eid al Fitr).” (Abi Dawood).

The gatherings that occur during the celebration of the New Year’s are typically un-Islamic, full of mixing of genders and the continuous intake of alcohol. Gatherings that encourage the displeasure of Allah are better to avoid.

“And the Day the wrongdoer will bite on his hands [in regret] he will say, Oh, I wish I had taken with the Messenger a way. Oh, woe to me! I wish I had not taken that one as a friend. He led me away from the remembrance after it had come to me. And ever is Satan, to man, a deserter” (Quran 25: 27-29).

A good idea to welcome the New Year is to reflect upon the last year, on what you have done to better yourself and your community as a Muslim. It is important that as Muslims we reflect upon ourselves and how we can improve. This night should be a night to reflect and to repent for our past sins. If we can gain one thing from this night, it is making a New Year’s resolution. Jot down some ideas on what you can do to get closer to Allah in the coming year.

‘Umar ibn al-Khattab, in one of his famous sayings said “Judge yourselves before you are judged, evaluate yourselves before you are evaluated and be ready for the greatest investigation (the Day of Judgement)” (Hassan al-Basri).