The Islamic or Hijri calendar, also known as the Lunar Hijri calendar, commenced with the migration of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE, known as the Hijra. This significant event marks the starting point of the Hijri calendar, which is based on lunar months. The calendar consists of 12 months, each with either 29 or 30 days, amounting to either 354 or 355 days in a year, depending on the lunar cycle. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, which is based on the solar year, the Hijri calendar is shorter, causing it to drift in relation to the seasons. As a result, Islamic holidays, such as Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, occur at different times each year in the Gregorian calendar. The first month of the Islamic calendar is Muharram, and the year 1 AH (After Hijra) corresponds to 622 CE in the Gregorian calendar. The determination of the first day of the Islamic year involves the sighting of the new moon, often leading to variations in the exact date among different regions and Islamic authorities. Consequently, while the Hijri calendar began in 622 CE, the exact date of the first day of Muharram may differ depending on local customs and practices for moon sighting.
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The Hijri calendar, also known as the Islamic or Lunar Hijri calendar, is a purely lunar calendar that is widely used in Muslim countries to determine the dates of religious observances and events. Its origin lies in the migration of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina, known as the Hijra, which took place in 622 CE according to the Gregorian calendar. This migration was a pivotal event in Islamic history and marked the establishment of the first Muslim community in Medina.
The Hijri calendar consists of 12 lunar months, with each month either lasting 29 or 30 days, depending on the sighting of the moon. As a result, the Hijri year is shorter than the solar year of the Gregorian calendar, consisting of approximately 354 or 355 days. This variance in length causes the Islamic calendar to shift in relation to the seasons over a 33-year cycle, making it purely lunar and thus different from the solar-based Gregorian calendar.
The months of the Hijri calendar are: Muharram, Safar, Rabi’ al-Awwal, Rabi’ al-Thani, Jumada al-Awwal, Jumada al-Thani, Rajab, Sha’ban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhu al-Qi’dah, and Dhu al-Hijjah. These months follow the lunar cycle, with each month beginning when the first crescent of the new moon is sighted.
The starting point of the Hijri calendar, the Hijra or migration of the Prophet Muhammad, is designated as year 1 AH (After Hijra). This marks the foundational event from which the Islamic calendar begins its count of years. The year 1 AH corresponds to 622 CE in the Gregorian calendar. However, it’s important to note that the concept of using Hijra as the starting point of the Islamic calendar was not established until several years after the actual event. The decision to adopt the Hijra as the beginning of the Islamic era was made during the time of the second Caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab, around 17 years after the event itself.
Determining the first day of the Islamic year involves the sighting of the new moon, a practice known as moon sighting. This traditional method has been used for centuries, with local religious authorities or moon sighting committees tasked with observing the crescent moon to determine the start of each month. However, advancements in astronomical calculations have also led to the development of algorithms and astronomical data to predict the visibility of the new moon, allowing for greater accuracy in determining the beginning of each Islamic month.
Despite efforts to standardize the Islamic calendar, there are still variations in the determination of the new moon’s sighting and the start of each month, leading to differences in the dates of Islamic holidays and events among different regions and communities. As a result, while the Hijri calendar officially began in 622 CE with the Hijra, the exact date of the first day of Muharram may vary based on local customs and practices regarding moon sighting. This flexibility has contributed to the richness and diversity of Islamic traditions around the world.