Muslims follow the Islamic calendar to determine important religious dates, including Ramadan, Eid ul-Fitr, Hajj, Eid ul-Adha, and the sacred months. This calendar is commonly known as the Hijri calendar, the Islamic calendar, or the lunar calendar.
Unlike the Gregorian calendar, which is based on the movement of the Earth around the sun, the Hijri calendar follows the cycles of the moon. Each Islamic month begins with the appearance of a new crescent moon.
The Hijri calendar is not only a method of counting days and months. It is closely connected to Islamic worship, history, and the daily lives of Muslims.
What Is the Hijri Calendar?
The Hijri calendar is the Islamic system of measuring years, months, and days. It contains 12 lunar months.
Allah says in the Quran:
“Indeed, the number of months ordained by Allah is twelve—in Allah’s Record since the day He created the heavens and the earth—of which four are sacred.”
— Quran 9:36
This verse teaches us that the division of the year into 12 months is not simply a human invention. It is part of the order created by Allah.
The moon also helps people recognise the passing of time. Allah says:
“They ask you about the phases of the moon. Say, ‘They are a means for people to determine time and pilgrimage.’”
— Quran 2:189
The Islamic calendar is therefore important for both everyday life and acts of worship.
Why Is It Called the Hijri Calendar?
The word Hijri comes from the Arabic word Hijrah, which means migration.
The Hijri calendar is counted from the year in which Prophet Muhammad ﷺ migrated from Makkah to Madinah. This journey is known as the Hijrah.
The migration took place in 622 CE and became a major turning point in Islamic history. In Madinah, the Muslim community was able to grow, worship more openly, and build a society based on faith, justice, and brotherhood.
The Islamic calendar was formally introduced during the leadership of Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab رضي الله عنه. The companions agreed to count the years from the year of the Hijrah because of its great importance in the history of Islam.
Did the Hijrah Take Place on 1 Muharram?
A common misunderstanding is that the Prophet ﷺ migrated to Madinah on the first day of Muharram.
This is not correct.
The Islamic year begins with Muharram, but the actual migration took place later in the year. Muharram was selected as the first month of the Islamic calendar, while the year count was connected to the Hijrah.
This is why the calendar is called the Hijri calendar.
What Does AH Mean?
You may see Islamic dates written with the letters AH.
For example:
1448 AH
The letters AH mean Anno Hegirae, which is a Latin expression meaning “in the year of the Hijrah.”
In simple terms, it shows how many Islamic lunar years have passed since the year of the migration of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from Makkah to Madinah.
How Does the Islamic Calendar Work?
The Islamic calendar follows the moon.
Each month normally lasts for 29 or 30 days. A new month begins when the new crescent moon is sighted.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said regarding the beginning and end of Ramadan:
“Do not fast unless you see the crescent, and do not stop fasting until you see the crescent. If the sky is overcast, then complete the number as thirty days.”
— Sahih al-Bukhari 1906
An Islamic year usually contains 354 or 355 days.
The Gregorian calendar, which is widely used for work, education, and official records, normally contains 365 days. As a result, the Hijri year is around 10 or 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year.
This is why Islamic occasions move through the seasons.
For example, Ramadan may fall during summer in one period and during winter many years later. The same applies to Hajj and the two Eids.
The 12 Months of the Islamic Calendar
The Islamic calendar contains the following 12 months:
| Number | Islamic Month | Important Information |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muharram | The first month of the Islamic year and one of the four sacred months. |
| 2 | Safar | The second month of the Islamic year. |
| 3 | Rabi al-Awwal | The third month. The birth of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is commonly remembered during this month. |
| 4 | Rabi al-Thani | The fourth month. It is also called Rabi al-Akhir. |
| 5 | Jumada al-Awwal | The fifth month. |
| 6 | Jumada al-Thani | The sixth month. It is also called Jumada al-Akhirah. |
| 7 | Rajab | One of the four sacred months. |
| 8 | Shaban | The month before Ramadan. Muslims often prepare spiritually for Ramadan during this month. |
| 9 | Ramadan | The month of fasting, Quran recitation, prayer, and charity. |
| 10 | Shawwal | Eid ul-Fitr takes place on the first day of Shawwal. |
| 11 | Dhul-Qadah | One of the four sacred months. |
| 12 | Dhul-Hijjah | The month of Hajj and Eid ul-Adha. It is also one of the four sacred months. |
What Are the Four Sacred Months in Islam?
Allah mentions in the Quran that four of the 12 months are sacred.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ explained their names:
“The year is twelve months, four of which are sacred. Three of them are in succession: Dhul-Qadah, Dhul-Hijjah and Al-Muharram, and the fourth is Rajab…”
— Sahih al-Bukhari 4662
The four sacred months are:
- Muharram
- Rajab
- Dhul-Qadah
- Dhul-Hijjah
These months deserve special respect. Muslims should always avoid sin and injustice, but the reminder becomes even stronger during the sacred months.
These are also good times to increase prayer, charity, Quran recitation, fasting, repentance, and other good deeds.
Important Events in the Islamic Year
Several major acts of worship are connected to the Hijri calendar.
1. Ramadan
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic year. During this month, adult Muslims who are able to fast abstain from food, drink, and other things that break the fast from dawn until sunset.
Ramadan is also a month of prayer, charity, self-discipline, and Quran recitation.
To learn more, read: The Month of Ramadan: Importance, History, and Benefits of Fasting.
2. Eid ul-Fitr
Eid ul-Fitr takes place on the first day of Shawwal, immediately after Ramadan.
It is a day of prayer, gratitude, happiness, family gatherings, and kindness. Muslims also give Zakat ul-Fitr before the Eid prayer so that people facing financial hardship can also participate in the occasion with dignity.
3. Hajj
Hajj takes place during Dhul-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic year.
It is one of the five pillars of Islam. Every Muslim who is physically and financially able must perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime.
4. The Day of Arafah
The Day of Arafah falls on the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah.
It is one of the most important days of the year. Pilgrims gather at Arafah as part of Hajj. Muslims who are not performing Hajj are encouraged to fast on this day.
5. Eid ul-Adha
Eid ul-Adha takes place on the tenth day of Dhul-Hijjah.
This occasion reminds Muslims of the obedience and sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim عليه السلام. Muslims who are able to do so offer Qurbani and distribute the meat among family members, neighbours, and people in need.
6. Muharram and Ashura
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar and one of the sacred months.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“The most excellent fast after Ramadan is Allah’s month, Al-Muharram.”
— Sahih Muslim 1163a
The tenth day of Muharram is known as Ashura.
The Prophet ﷺ fasted on this day and taught that Allah saved Prophet Musa عليه السلام and the Children of Israel from Pharaoh on this day.
Is the Islamic New Year an Eid?
The Islamic year begins on the first day of Muharram. This date is sometimes called the Hijri New Year or the Islamic New Year.
However, it should not be treated as an additional Eid.
Islam has two main annual Eids:
- Eid ul-Fitr
- Eid ul-Adha
There is no specific obligatory prayer, celebration, or special ritual required exclusively for the first day of Muharram.
However, the arrival of a new Islamic year can be a useful time for personal reflection. A Muslim may think about the past year, ask Allah for forgiveness, improve daily habits, and make sincere plans to become closer to Allah.
Why Can Islamic Dates Differ Between Countries?
Sometimes Ramadan, Eid, or the beginning of another Islamic month is announced on different days in different countries.
This may happen because the Hijri months are connected to the sighting of the crescent moon. The moon may be visible in one location but not visible in another. Weather conditions and the methods used by local Islamic authorities can also affect the announcement.
For this reason, Muslims should follow the trusted Islamic authority or recognised moon-sighting announcement in their own country or community.
Differences of one day do not mean that the Islamic calendar is unreliable. They reflect the traditional lunar method used to determine the beginning of a new month.
Why Should Muslims Learn the Hijri Calendar?
Many Muslims use the Gregorian calendar in their professional and personal lives. There is nothing wrong with using it for work, school, travel, or official documents.
However, Muslims should also know the Hijri calendar because many parts of Islamic life are connected to it.
Knowing the Hijri months helps Muslims to:
- Prepare for Ramadan
- Recognise the sacred months
- Understand the time of Hajj
- Remember the dates of Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha
- Learn more about important events in Islamic history
- Teach children about the Islamic way of measuring time
- Plan acts of worship throughout the year
The Hijri calendar reminds Muslims that time is a blessing from Allah. Every passing day is an opportunity to worship Allah, improve our character, seek forgiveness, and do something beneficial for others.
Lessons We Can Learn from the Hijri Calendar
The Hijri calendar teaches several important lessons.
Time Is Valuable
Days, months, and years pass quickly. A believer should not waste life in activities that bring no benefit in this world or the Hereafter.
Worship Is Connected to Time
Islam teaches discipline. Salah has fixed times. Ramadan has a fixed month. Hajj takes place during specific days. Zakat becomes due when its conditions are met. Time management is therefore an important part of a Muslim’s life.
Muslims Should Remember Their History
The Hijri calendar begins from the year of the Hijrah. This reminds Muslims of the courage, patience, and trust in Allah shown by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his companions.
Every New Year Is an Opportunity
The beginning of a new Hijri year is a good moment to ask an honest question:
Am I becoming closer to Allah as time passes?
A new year should not only increase our age. It should also increase our faith, knowledge, gratitude, and good character.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Hijri Calendar
How many months are there in the Islamic year?
The Islamic year contains 12 lunar months.
How many days are there in a Hijri year?
A Hijri year normally contains 354 or 355 days.
What is the first month of the Islamic calendar?
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar.
What is the last month of the Islamic calendar?
Dhul-Hijjah is the final month of the Islamic calendar.
Why does Ramadan come earlier each year?
Ramadan comes around 10 or 11 days earlier in the Gregorian calendar because the Hijri year is shorter than the solar year.
Does the Islamic year begin on the day of the Prophet’s migration?
The calendar is counted from the year of the Hijrah. However, the actual migration of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ did not take place on 1 Muharram.
Are there four sacred months in Islam?
Yes. The four sacred months are Muharram, Rajab, Dhul-Qadah, and Dhul-Hijjah.
Conclusion
The Islamic year, also known as the Hijri calendar, is an important part of Muslim life. It is based on 12 lunar months and begins with Muharram.
Its year count is connected to the Hijrah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from Makkah to Madinah. This historic migration reminds Muslims of sacrifice, patience, faith, and trust in Allah.
Learning the Hijri months helps us understand Ramadan, Hajj, the sacred months, and the two Eids. More importantly, it reminds us to value our time.
Every day that passes is a part of our life that will never return. A wise Muslim tries to use time in a way that pleases Allah and benefits others.
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