5 Prayers to Recite Before the New Year

As the New Year approaches, Muslims often reflect on the past year and seek Allah's guidance and blessings for the year ahead.

While Islam does not prescribe specific New Year prayers, reciting general duas can help you start the year with forgiveness, protection, guidance, and hope. Here are five meaningful prayers for the New Year:

1. Dua for Forgiveness and Renewal

Seek forgiveness for past mistakes and sins to start the New Year fresh:

Dua:

"Rabbana zalamnaa anfusanaa wa illam taghfir lanaa wa tarhamnaa lanakunanna minal khaasireen."

Translation: "Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You do not forgive us and bestow upon us Your Mercy, we shall surely be among the losers." (Quran 7:23)

2. Dua for Goodness in This Life and the Hereafter

Ask Allah for blessings both in this world and in the Hereafter:

Dua:

"Rabbana aatina fid-duniya hasanatan wa fil aakhirati hasanatan, waqina azaabannnar."

Translation: "Our Lord! Grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the Fire." (Quran 2:201)

3. Dua for Protection and Safety

Seek Allah's protection from harm, misfortune, and evil:

Dua:

"Bismillahi alladhi la yadurru ma'asmihi shay'un fil ardi wa la fis-samaa' wa huwa as-sami'ul 'alim."

Translation: "In the name of Allah, with whose name nothing on earth or in the heavens can cause harm, and He is the All-Hearing, All-Knowing."(Riyad as-Salihin 1457)

4. Dua for Success, Health, and Happiness

Ask for blessings in your daily life, goals, and personal well-being:

Dua:

"Rabbana hab lana min azwajina wa zurriyyatina qurrata `ayunin, waj-alna lil muttaqeena imama."

Translation: "Our Lord! Vouchsafe us comfort of our spouses and of our offspring, and make us patterns for (all) those who ward off (evil)." Quran 25:74

5. Dua for Guidance and Steadfastness

Pray for the strength to stay on the right path and make righteous choices in the coming year:

Dua:

"Rabbana la tu'akhidhna in naseena aw akhta'na. Rabbana wa la tahmil 'alayna isran kama hamaltahu 'ala allatheena min qablina. Rabbana wa la tu'hamilna ma la taqata lana bih. Wa'fu 'anna, waghfir lana, warhamna. Anta mawlana fa ansurna 'ala al-qawm al-kafireen."

Translation: "Our Lord! Do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or made a mistake. Our Lord! Lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us. Our Lord! And burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us. You are our protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people." Quran 2:286

Reciting these five prayers before the New Year can help you enter the year with forgiveness, protection, guidance, and hope. Combine these supplications with personal reflection and gratitude to start the New Year spiritually refreshed and mindful of Allah's blessings.

May Allah bless you with a year full of mercy, success, and happiness.