The Islamic Calendar: Months, Dates, and Significance

The Islamic Calendar

Introduction

The Islamic calendar was established by Umar ibn al-Khattab in 638 CE (17 AH). He chose the Hijrah (migration to Medina, 622 CE) as its starting point because it represented the Muslim community's transition from persecution to freedom.

How it Works

The Islamic calendar is purely lunar: each month begins with the new moon (hilal). Months have 29 or 30 days. The year has 354 or 355 days, about 10-11 days less than the solar year. Islamic dates advance each year relative to the Gregorian calendar.

The 12 Months

1. Muharram: sacred month. 10th is Ashura
2. Safar: second month
3. Rabi' al-Awwal: month of Prophet's birth (Mawlid, 12th)
4. Rabi' al-Thani: fourth month
5. Jumada al-Ula: fifth month
6. Jumada al-Thaniyah: sixth month
7. Rajab: sacred month. Prophet's Night Journey (Isra wal-Mi'raj)
8. Sha'ban: preparation month for Ramadan. 15th is Nisf Sha'ban
9. Ramadan: month of obligatory fasting
10. Shawwal: 1st is Eid al-Fitr
11. Dhul-Qa'dah: sacred month, Hajj truce
12. Dhul-Hijjah: sacred Hajj month. 10th is Eid al-Adha

Moving Dates

Advancing 11 days each year, Islamic festivals cycle through all seasons in approximately 33 years. Ramadan can fall in summer (long fasting days) or winter (short days).

Contemporary Use

The Islamic calendar is primarily used for religious purposes. Most Muslim countries use the Gregorian calendar for civil purposes.