What to Do in Muharram: A Complete Worship Guide

What to do in Muharram — the sacred Month of Allah — centres on six core acts: fasting (especially on Ashura, 25 June 2026), increasing voluntary worship throughout the month, giving sadaqah jariyah, reciting Quran and dhikr, making sincere istighfar, and avoiding sin during this amplified sacred period.

• Primary act: Fast on Ashura — 24–25 June 2026 (9th and 10th Muharram). Expiates the previous year's minor sins.
• Best month for fasting: "The best of fasts after Ramadan is fasting in the Month of Allah, Muharram" — Prophet ﷺ, Sahih Muslim 1163.
• Give sadaqah: Good deeds are amplified in the sacred months. Sadaqah jariyah in Muharram earns ongoing reward in the sacred season.
• Avoid sin: The Quran commands Muslims not to wrong themselves in the four sacred months (9:36).
• Increase dhikr: Recite tasbih, tahmid, takbir, and la ilaha illallah; make frequent istighfar for the past year.
• Spend generously on family on the Day of Ashura — a reported practice with classical scholarly support.
• See the full Muharram 2026 guide and Islamic calendar 2026.

Muharram is one of Islam's four sacred months — established in the Quran (9:36) as a period in which good deeds earn amplified reward and sins carry greater consequence. The Prophet ﷺ further elevated it by calling it "the Month of Allah" — the only month given this divine attribution by name in authentic hadith. Acting on this knowledge is not optional for the sincere Muslim: the Quran explicitly warns against "wronging yourselves" in these months.

1. Fast on Ashura (9th + 10th)

Fast 24–25 June 2026. Expiates one year of minor sins. The single most important act of Muharram. See the full Ashura fasting guide.

2. Increase voluntary fasting

Best month for voluntary fasting after Ramadan. Fast on Mondays, Thursdays, or the bright days (13th, 14th, 15th Muharram — ~28–30 June 2026).

3. Give sadaqah jariyah

The sacred month multiplies reward. Donate water charity whose blessings continue beyond Muharram.

4. Recite Quran daily

Set a target for the month — one juz per day completes a full khatm. Make it a Muharram habit.

5. Increase dhikr and dua

Recite tasbih, tahmid, takbir, and la ilaha illallah. Make earnest dua for the new Islamic year.

6. Avoid sin entirely

Guard your tongue, lower your gaze, fulfil obligations. Sins are heavier in the sacred months.

The Prophet ﷺ said in an authenticated hadith: "The best of fasts after the month of Ramadan is fasting in the month of Allah, which you call Muharram" (Sahih Muslim 1163). This makes Muharram the second-best month of the year for voluntary fasting — ahead of Sha'ban, Rajab, and all other months outside Ramadan.

“The best of fasts after Ramadan is fasting in the Month of Allah — Muharram. — Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Sahih Muslim 1163”

Recommended fast days in Muharram 2026

• Ashura (highest priority): 9th + 10th Muharram — 24–25 June 2026 (Sahih Muslim 1162b, 1134a).
• Monday and Thursday: every Mon + Thu throughout June–July 2026 (Prophet's weekly sunnah).
• Ayyam al-Bid (bright days): 13th, 14th, 15th Muharram — ~28–30 June 2026 (equivalent to fasting the whole month).

Charity in the sacred months earns amplified reward — the Islamic principle that good deeds multiply in blessed times applies fully to sadaqah. Sadaqah jariyah is particularly powerful in Muharram: it combines the multiplied reward of a sacred month with the compounding reward of a charity that keeps giving.

Water charity in Muharram has a specific resonance: many Muslims give water wells and pumps in this sacred month in memory of Imam Husayn RA, who was denied water at Karbala on the very day of Ashura. See also Sadaqah in Muharram.

There is no specific prescribed dhikr formula for Muharram in the authentic sunnah — but the general guidance to increase remembrance of Allah applies with extra weight in the sacred months. The most comprehensive dhikr formula is: SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illallah — referred to in hadith as "the best words" after the Quran.

Specifically for the transition into a new Hijri year, scholars recommend making istighfar (seeking forgiveness) for the past year and dua of intention for the year ahead.

The Quran states: "Do not wrong yourselves therein" — referring to the four sacred months (9:36). Classical scholars of tafsir explain that sin carries a heavier spiritual weight in the sacred months, just as good deeds earn amplified reward. Ibn Kathir holds that committing sins in Muharram, Rajab, Dhul Qadah, and Dhul Hijjah is more serious than the same sin at other times of year.

What should Muslims do in Muharram?

Fast on Ashura (24–25 June 2026), increase voluntary fasting, give sadaqah jariyah, recite Quran, increase dhikr and istighfar, and avoid sin.

Is there a special prayer for Muharram?

No specific prayer is prescribed. Increase voluntary nafl prayers — Tahajjud and Duha are especially recommended in any blessed period.

What is the best act in Muharram?

Fasting — the Prophet ﷺ said Muharram is the best month for voluntary fasting after Ramadan (Sahih Muslim 1163). On Ashura (25 June 2026) specifically, fasting expiates the sins of the previous year.

Should I give sadaqah in Muharram?

Yes — sadaqah in any sacred month earns amplified reward. Water sadaqah jariyah in Muharram combines sacred-month multiplication with ongoing reward.

What sins should Muslims avoid in Muharram?

All sins carry extra weight in the sacred months — Allah commands "do not wrong yourselves therein" (Quran 9:36). Guard especially against backbiting, missing prayers, unlawful earnings, and harming family relations.

Is there a specific dua for Muharram or the Islamic New Year?

No single prescribed dua exists exclusively for the Islamic New Year. Muslims are encouraged to make sincere personal dua, recite istighfar for the past year, and say the sunnah dua for the new moon. See the Islamic New Year 2026 guide.