542. Praying Two Rak’aat at Midnight For The New Year Or ‘Past’ Year?

By Asma bint Shameem 

QUESTION

*Some people say that we should pray two rak’aat at midnight to end the previous year and begin the new year in worship.*

*Is that proven from the Sharee’ah?*

ANSWER

This is *not* from the Sunnah. 

Rather this is *bid’ah*. 

And the shuyookh have *warned* against this. 

Someone asked Shaykh Saalim Baamihriz:

“Many messages are circulating and reaching some of the people saying that we must pray two Rak'ats around 12:00 midnight so that we end the Gregorian year with prayer and begin the New Year with prayer. What is the ruling on this?”

Here’s what the Shaikh said:

“May Allaah bless you, this is from innovation, misguidance, and superstition which has no basis in the religion. 

O brother, may Allaah bless you, the prayer is not legislated for these things. The prayer is either obligatory and legislated or a Sunnah which the Messenger, clarified; upon him be prayers and peace. 

As for making the prayer to be for the commencement of the year and to conclude the year, or to commence the day, or to conclude the day this is from the *deviation* of those who are astray and leading others astray; and every innovation is misguidance and every misguidance is in the fire. 

When the people distanced themselves from the Book and the Sunnah they fell into these innovations. 

Akhee, had it been the Hijri year, it would've been innovation and misguidance, so what do you think regarding the Gregorian year?! 

Have Taqwa of Allaah, may Allaah bless you and beware of these innovations. 

The Muslim must worship Allaah in every instance, at all times, either by way of a legislative obligation or a clearly defined Sunnah known from the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam.

As for these innovations and misguidance which the ignorant, astray commoners who are similar to animals introduce, beware of these deviations may Allaah bless you. 

By Allaah, I am amazed that in a time in which knowledge is wide spread, the Sunnah is wide spread, and the people know the truth from falsehood, that there are people still upon these deviations and innovations. 

Whenever an innovation is born, a Sunnah dies. 

So have Taqwa of Allaah. 

This is from the innovations which pass upon the people every year. 

Every month they have an innovation; every year they have an innovation; in every condition they have an innovation. 

Have Taqwa of Allaah, my brother. 

Acts of worship are only either obligatory or Sunan clarified by the Prophet, upon him be prayers and peace, and the pious predecessors. 

Leave off these innovations and stay far away from them. Safeguard your religion and the safety of your Aqeedah and the Sunnah. 

May Allaah bless you, and Allaah’s Aid is sought.”

And Allaah knows best