Since the inception of time, Humans have built different mechanisms to calculate time. A calendar is one such tool that records the number of days in a month or year. Similarly, The Islamic Hijri Calendar is essential for the Muslim community, as it indicates many important events that hold great importance to the Muslim Ummah.
For example, the arrival of the month of Ramadan needs to be calculated precisely so that people can observe fasting and the months of Shawwal and Dhul Hijjah mark the two Eids. The accurate calculation of these events is important as they are obligatory for Muslims to observe.
In this article – we will discuss 10 things that you need to know about the Islamic Hijri Calendar.
What is the Islamic Hijri Calendar?
There was no specific method to observe time before the Islamic Hijri Calendar. The only method used by Muslims was to name the years. The year in which Prophet (peace be upon him) was born is named “Amil Fil” or the year of the Elephants. In this year, the king of Yemen “Abraha” sent an army of elephants towards the holy Kabah. The elephants were sent to destroy Kabah. in response, Allah sent flocks of birds (Ababil) that pelted the army with stones of baked clay, as described in Surah Al-Fil (105).
1. How and Why did the Hijiri Calendar Begin?
The Islamic Hijri Calendar was not established at the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him). The second Caliph Umar ibn al Khattab initiated the process of its creation. He was concerned over the fact that Muslims are unaware of the calculation of time.
When he read letters from the Governor of the Basra that when the Governor receives letters from Umar ibn al Khattab. They are dated with months like Shaban, but they are unable to determine which one. The one that has passed or the coming one?
This is why Umar ibn al Khattab began the process of making a calendar for Muslims.
After taking consultation from his companions. The second caliph Umar ibn al Khattab decided that the year in which Prophet (peace be upon him) migrated from Makkah to Madinah should be considered as the first year of the Muslim Hijri Calendar. The name “Hijri” is the literal definition of migration.
2. Why Is Muharram The First Month of The Hijri Calendar
The decision of making a calendar came with a question that which month should be declared as the first one. Many suggestions came in, but the sacred months of Dhul Qa’dah, Dhul Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab were among the options discussed.
Although many companions wanted “Ramadan to be the first month of the Islamic calendar, but Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) and the companions settled on Muharram, a sacred month that follows Hajj and the return of the pilgrims. This is how historical reports commonly describe it.
3. How Many Days Are There in The Hijri Calendar?
The Hijri calendar is a lunar calendar. Its 12 months last 29 or 30 days each, giving a year of about 354 or 355 days. This is roughly 10 to 11 days shorter than the solar (Gregorian) year, so Islamic months move backwards through the seasons from year to year.
4. How Many Months In The Hijri Calendar?
There are twelve months in the Hijri Calendar. The names are;
• Muharram
• Safar
• Rabi’ul Awwal
• Rabi’ul Thani
• Jamadiul Awwal
• Jamadiul Thani
• Rajab
• Shaban
• Ramadan
• Shawal
• Zulkaedah
• Zulhijjah.
5. Mention of These Twelve Months In Quran
The Quran confirms that the number of months with Allah is twelve (Surah At-Tawbah 9:36), and names only Ramadan (2:185). It does not list the other month names, which come from Arabic usage. (The text inside the image below could not be verified.)
6. Are There Any Sacred Months?
There are four sacred months in the Hijri Calendar. These four months are considered to be sacred because “Allah” has prohibited Muslims to wage war in these months. The four sacred months are Rajab, Dhul Qa’dah, Dhul Hijjah and Muharram (Quran 9:36; Bukhari and Muslim). Fasting in Muharram is especially encouraged, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) called it the best fasting after Ramadan (Muslim). For fasting in general, you can learn more on this from our previous post on Islamic Quotes on Sunnah Fasting & Its Benefits.
7. The Non-Sacred Months
The rest of the eight months are called nonsacred. Scholars differ on whether the prohibition on fighting in the sacred months still applies today, but all agree they carry special sanctity.
8. The Names of The Twelve Months and The Meanings
- Muharram
The first month of the Hijri Calendar, whose name relates to the Arabic word for forbidden or sacred (see Muharram quotes). Mostly because it is forbidden to wage war in this month by Allah.
- Safar
The second month of the Hijri Calendar. Some language sources link the name to Arabs leaving their homes empty during travel or raids. There is no basis in Islam for treating Safar as an unlucky month: the Prophet (peace be upon him) said there is no evil omen and no Safar superstition (Bukhari, Muslim). According to some sources the second month is labeled as Safar as Arabs used to loot the valuables of their enemies during this month.
- Rabi’ul Awwal and Rabi’ul Thani
Rabi’ul Awwal and Rabi’ul Thani are named after the Arabic word for spring (rabi’), according to language sources. The Prophet (peace be upon him) is traditionally said to have been born in Rabi’ al-Awwal, though the exact date is disputed. Whether to hold a gathering to mark the Mawlid is a matter on which scholars differ, so follow the guidance of a qualified scholar you trust.
- Jammadiul Awwal And Jamadul Thani
These two months were named because of the winter period where the water channels would freeze. - Rajab
The month of Rajab indicated very sacred feelings of respect and honor.
- Ramadan
The month in which Muslims observe an obligatory ritual – Fasting. According to many language scholars, the name comes from an Arabic root meaning scorching heat. For the sunnah practices of this month, see sunnahs of Ramadan.
- Shawwal
Shawal’s start marks a sacred event in the Hijri Calendar. Muslims observe Eid Ul Fitr after the month of Ramadan. The name is linked by some linguists to an Arabic root connected with she-camels in that season; the exact origin is debated.
- Zulkaedah
The month was named as such because of an Arab term that meant “sitting”. In this month Muslims should sit with peace and not indulge in any war.
- Zulhijjah.
The name is driven by the obligatory act: Hajj that is performed by Muslims in the holy city of Makkah. It is the last month of the Hijri year. It contains the Hajj and Eid al-Adha, and its first ten days are especially virtuous (see Dhul Hijjah month).
9. Which States Follow the Islamic Hijri Calendar?
Muslims around the world use the Hijri calendar for religious purposes, such as Ramadan, Eid and Hajj, usually alongside the Gregorian calendar. Saudi Arabia uses the Umm al-Qura Hijri calendar for official religious dating, and its government administration now largely uses the Gregorian calendar.
Most Muslim-majority countries, including Pakistan, use the Gregorian calendar for civil life and the lunar Hijri calendar for religious occasions. The start of each Hijri month is determined by moon sighting or calculation, and countries and scholars sometimes differ on which method to follow.
If you like exploring the cultures and traditions of other Islamic nations then you must read our post on Top 10 Muslim Countries You Should Visit.
10. Quotes About the Islamic Hijri Calendar
There’s mention of the hijri calendar in the following hadith:
Frequently Asked Questions
Who started the Hijri calendar?
Historical reports say it was introduced during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) after consulting the companions, using the Hijra as year one. It was not formally introduced during the Prophet’s lifetime.
How many days are in the Hijri year?
About 354 or 355 days, since each of the 12 lunar months is 29 or 30 days. This is why Ramadan and other months move through the seasons.
Which are the sacred months?
Rajab, Dhul Qa’dah, Dhul Hijjah and Muharram (Quran 9:36). Wrongdoing in them is especially serious, and good deeds are especially encouraged.
Why do Muslim countries sometimes start Ramadan or Eid on different days?
The Hijri month begins with the new moon, and scholars differ on whether to rely on local sighting, global sighting or astronomical calculation. Follow the practice of your local community or ask a qualified scholar. See sunnahs of Ramadan.
Is it correct to call the Hijri months unlucky?
No. Islam rejects superstition about months or days, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said there is no evil omen (Bukhari, Muslim). Some months have special virtue, such as Dhul Hijjah, but none is unlucky.