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The Islamic Calendar

As you are probably aware, we Muslims use a separate calendar. The Islamic (or Hijri) calendar consists of twelve months and is lunar, with each month beginning when the first crescent after the new moon is sighted. The first crescent can be sighted either locally, or elsewhere in the world. Because the moon's cycle is either 29 or 30 days long, a year in the Islamic calendar is either 354 or 355 days long, around 10 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar. This means that the Islamic months are shifting slowly through the seasons, in cycles lasting approximately 33 years.

Because of differences in sighting the moon, months often start on different days in different parts of the world. For example, Muslims in the USA may start their Ramadan fasting one day before Muslims in Saudi Arabia. If it is impossible to sight the moon locally, (for example, due to bad weather or, in the case of any Muslims living at high degrees of latitude, due to permanent daylight during summer), it is equally acceptable to use a moon sighting taken from elsewhere in the world.

Years in the Hijri calendar are counted from the Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) emigration from Mecca to Medina, which occurred in the year 622 CE (note that I use CE instead of AD for the Gregorian date - this is because 'AD' refers to the supposed date of birth of the Prophet Isa ibn Maryam (AS) and refers to him as 'our Lord'. As far as our religion is concerned, this is blasphemous). The current Hijri year can be seen at the top of this page.

The Hijri Months

The twelve months which make up the Islamic calendar are as follows: -

Muharram
Literally means 'the sacred month'. Conflicts and fighting are prohibited during the sacred months, except in self-defence.
Safar
Literally means 'the travelling month'. This was traditionally the month in which trading caravans set out from Arabia to Yemen or Syria.
Rabi Al Awwal
(Sometimes abbreviated to Rabi 1). Literally means 'the first spring'.
Rabi Al Thani
(Sometimes abbreviated to Rabi 2). Literally means 'the second spring'.
Jumada Al Awwal
(sometimes abbreviated to Jumada 1). Literally means 'the first dry month'.
Jumada Al Thani
(Sometimes abbreviated to Jumada 2), Literally means 'the second dry month'.
Rajab
Literally means 'the month of respect'. In pre-Islamic times, rival Arab tribes would hold a general truce during this month to allow pilgrimages.
Sha'ban
Literally means 'the dividing month'. The second of the sacred months during which fighting (except in self-defence) and conflict is prohibited.
Ramadan
Literally means 'the month of great heat'. The holiest month of the year. It was during this month that the revelation of the Qur'an began, and the bloodless conquest of Mecca occurred.
Shawwal
Literally means 'the month of hunting'.
Dhul Qa'dah
Literally means 'the month of rest'. This was traditionally a time when business activity slowed in Arabia. The third of the sacred months.
Dhul Hijjah
Literally means 'the month of pilgrimage'. The month during which Hajj is performed. The fourth of the sacred months.

Holy Days

(Please note that the dates given below are estimated, and therefore there could be a 1-2 day margin of error)

1st of Muharram - Hijrah (Migration)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emigrates to Medina in 622 CE, and establishes first Islamic state. The Islamic Calendar is calculated from this date. Each Islamic Year begins on this date. This is next due to fall on the .
10th of Muharram - Yawm al-Ashura
Many great events have occurred on this day, such as the birth of Abraham (peace be upon him), the construction of the Kabah, the coming to rest of Noah's (peace be upon him) ark, and the exodus of Moses (peace be upon him) and Jews across the Red Sea from Egypt. This is commemorated by fasting on this day and either (or both) of the two days surrounding it. This is next due to fall on the .
12th of Rabi' al-Awal - Maulid-an Nabi
The birth of Muhammad (peace be upon him). The week from the 12th-17th is used to promote Islamic unity. On this day, people meet to recite Sirah (the Prophet Muhammad's (Peace Be Upon Him) biography), give thanks to Allah for the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and his good example, and encourage love for the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). This is next due to fall on the .
27th of Rajab - Laylat ul-Isra wal Mi'raj
The night journey of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). On this night the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was taken by the angel Jibril (Gabriel) from the mosque in Mecca to Mount Moriah in Jerusalem. Here he led the prophets of Allah (AS) in prayer. Then he travelled up through the heavens until he reached the very throne of the Creator. Allah in His mercy revealed to him the order of 5 obligatory times of prayer every day and night. People make efforts to say extra prayers at night. This is next due to fall on the .
15th of Sha'ban - Laylat ul-Barat
The Night of Promises when Allah decides what will happen to all of his creation in the coming year. Muslims make efforts to pray for forgiveness and in gratitude and hope for the future. This is next due to fall on the .
Ramadan - Month of fasting
The month of fasting, as ordered by Allah in the Qur'an. People fast from sunrise to sunset each day. This is next due to begin on the .
Within the last 10 nights of Ramadan - Laylat ul-Qadr
The Night of Decrees. Hidden night which occurs on any one of the odd dates during the last ten days of Ramadan, although many people wrongfully assume that it always falls on the 27th night. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) received the first revelation of the Qur'an on one of the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan.

"The Night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the Angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission with all decrees. Peace! Until the appearance of dawn!" (The Holy Qur'an 97:3-5)

People make efforts to pray and thank Allah for His guidance during these nights. This is next due to fall between the .
1st to 3rd of Shawwal - Id ul-Fitr
Festival to mark the end of fasting and the start of the new month. People attend Id prayers at the mosque and give zakat (zakat-ul-Fitr) to ensure everyone can join the festivities. After prayers they visit friends and relatives. This is next due to fall on the .
8th of Dhul Hijjah - Hajj begins
Events in the life of the Prophets Ibrahim, Isma'il & Muhammad (peace be upon them) are remembered, as ordered in the Qur'an. Muslims should make the Hajj at least once in their life. This is next due to fall on the .
9th of Dhul Hijjah - Yawm al-Arafat
Pilgrims gather on the plain of Arafat to pray to Allah. Other Muslims around the world mark this day by fasting. This day is next due to fall on the .
10th to 12th of Dhul Hijjah - Id ul-Adha
The feast of sacrifice which is part of the Hajj. An animal may be sacrificed. People attend Id prayers at mosque. After prayers they visit friends and relatives. This day is next due to fall on the .

What Day Is It?

There are many online resources that are able to tell what the the date is according to the Hijri calendar, such the Hijri Date Converter at Al-Islam.com.

By far the most convenient method is to download Hijri Cal from DivineIslam.com (via Archive.org). This is a small desktop program that displays the Hijri and Gregorian dates side-by-side in the form of a calendar, and which also allows the user to view any date directly. It is also tends to be more accurate, as it uses moon-phase data rather than an algorithm to calculate dates.

Return to Top - © Amir Brooks - 2006 / 1427

  1. Isa ibn Maryam: Jesus the son of Mary, one of the greatest of all prophets. It was to Isa that the Injeel (Gospels) were revealed. (return to 'Isa ibn Maryam' reference)
  2. Hajj: The pilgrimage to Mecca which every Muslim must take once in their lifetime, but only if they are healthy enough and able to afford it. (return to 'Hajj' reference)