Islamic (Hijri) Calendar
The lunar calendar used to determine Islamic holidays and religious observances
About the Islamic (Hijri) Calendar
The Islamic calendar, also known as the Hijri calendar, is a lunar calendar consisting of 12 months in a year of 354 or 355 days. It is used to determine the proper days of Islamic holidays and rituals, such as the annual fasting period and the timing of the Hajj pilgrimage. The calendar began in 622 CE during the Hijra (migration) of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina.
🌙 Key Features
- Lunar Calendar - Based entirely on moon phases
- 354-355 days per year - Approximately 11 days shorter than the solar year
- 12 Months - Each month begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon
- Shifts through seasons - Completes full cycle relative to solar year every 33 years
- Friday (Jumu'ah) - The holiest day of the week for congregational prayers
📅 The Twelve Islamic Months
- Muharram (30 days) - Sacred month, Islamic New Year falls on 1st Muharram
- Safar (29 days) - Means "empty" or "yellow"
- Rabi' al-Awwal (30 days) - Birth of Prophet Muhammad (Mawlid)
- Rabi' al-Thani (29 days) - Second spring month
- Jumada al-Awwal (30 days) - First month of dryness
- Jumada al-Thani (29 days) - Second month of dryness
- Rajab (30 days) - Sacred month of respect
- Sha'ban (29 days) - Month of division, precedes Ramadan
- Ramadan (30 days) - Holy month of fasting
- Shawwal (29 days) - Month of hunting, Eid al-Fitr on 1st
- Dhu al-Qi'dah (30 days) - Sacred month of truce
- Dhu al-Hijjah (29/30 days) - Month of Hajj pilgrimage, Eid al-Adha on 10th
🎉 Major Islamic Holidays & Observances
- 1 Muharram - Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year)
- 10 Muharram - Day of Ashura (Commemoration day)
- 12 Rabi' al-Awwal - Mawlid al-Nabi (Prophet Muhammad's Birthday)
- 27 Rajab - Isra and Mi'raj (Night Journey and Ascension)
- 1-29/30 Ramadan - Month of Fasting
- 27 Ramadan - Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power)
- 1 Shawwal - Eid al-Fitr (Festival of Breaking the Fast)
- 8-13 Dhu al-Hijjah - Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca)
- 9 Dhu al-Hijjah - Day of Arafah
- 10 Dhu al-Hijjah - Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice)
🕌 Sacred Months
Four months are considered sacred in Islam: Muharram, Rajab, Dhu al-Qi'dah, and Dhu al-Hijjah. During these months, warfare is forbidden, and extra spiritual focus is encouraged.
🌍 Historical Significance
The Hijri calendar was established during the time of Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab. The epoch (starting point) was chosen to be the Hijra in 622 CE, marking Prophet Muhammad's migration from Mecca to Medina, a pivotal event in Islamic history that led to the establishment of the first Muslim community.