I writes spasmodically to uncover hidden facts that makes the celebration of new year “January” to be Haram in Islam and to enlighten ourselves on what new year is. Allaah ta’ala has given us (Muslims) a calendar to follow, unfortunately most of us abandoned the Islamic calendar and thus we consider and follow the Gregorian calendar as if it is God ordained, not knowing we are stylishly practicing paganism. Have you ever ask yourself what January is? Where is the word January from?. We will discuss everything in this article insha Allaah.

In ancient Roman religion and myth, Janus (/ˈdʒeɪnəs/; Latin: Iānus, pronounced [ˈjaː.nus]) is the god of beginnings, gates, transitions, time, duality, doorways, passages, and endings…. The ancient Greeks had no equivalent to Janus, whom the Romans claimed as distinctively their own.

Naming January – Janus Month. January is name after the Roman god “Janus” the god of doors because this month is the door to the year.

The Roman god Janus represents all beginnings and possesses the ability to see all things past and future, this is a definition according to its worshippers. A devoted Muslim who knows the differences between his right hand and left hand will not believe this god posses the ability to see all things, both past and future. This are qualities of the one and only true God “Allaah”. Below are two verses from the Glorious Quran that depicts Allaah to be the All Seeing, Knowing and all Hearing..


Quran 3:34


Quran 22:75


So, in January, every celebrant of new year (January) are all a little bit like Janus, the Roman god for which January is named. His name comes from the Latin word ianua, which means “door.” Janus is the god of doors, gates, doorways, bridges, and passageways, all of which symbolize beginnings and ends.

In ancient Roman religion and mythology, January is the god of beginning and transitions, hence also of gates, doors endings and time. Janus is a two faced god since he looks to the future and the past. The Romans dedicated the month of January to Janus. His most apparent remnant in the modern culture is his namesake, the month of January.

Janus Island is located at Cape Leeuwin in the southwest of Western Australia, where the Indian Ocean meets the Southern Ocean. Just imagine that long, thin cape being moved 100 miles out to sea.

The Roman idol worship used to thank and appreciate Janus for what they had spent in the past and hope for a brighter future. So if any Muslim observe any special prayer during this period, it is just like engaging in idol worshipping.

A Muslim who celebrate new year “January” is just like a man who believe in monotheism and polytheism, how illogical?

A chapter of the Quran named “Al-kafirun” was revealed when the pagan Arabs tried to make negotiations and concession between Islam and their religion “paganism”. They told prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to worship their gods for some periods and they will also worship Allaah in return for the same period. Then Allaah revealed suratul Kafirun as the response to what the pagans seek for.

Say, “O disbelievers,

I do not worship what you worship.

Nor are you worshippers of what I worship.

Nor will I be a worshipper of what you worship.

Nor will you be worshippers of what I worship.


Quran 109:1-6

However, in Islam, it is not possible to make Halaal what Allaah ta’ala has made Haram for the believers, hence the celebration of Gregorian new year is out of Islam.

When our values are clear to us, making decisions will become easier. Allaah is able to warm the cockles of our heart. We need to be steadfast and avoid anything that deals with associating partner to Allaah.

We are always on the anvil; by trials Allaah is shaping us for higher things. This is a test just as how everything in this world is a test. May Allaah count us among those who will pass, but we have to change ourselves, for Allaah does not change a people who are not willing to change themselves.

Habeebullah for knowislam.com.ng


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