The Islamic lunar calendar

Before the advent of Islam, the Arabs followed a lunisolar calendar, in which lunar months were occasionally adjusted with an intercalary month to align with the solar year, a practice similar to that of other ancient calendars. This practice, known as nasi, was used to synchronize the pilgrimage season and other events with the seasons. However, this system was fraught with issues of manipulation and was often used to postpone sacred months to permit warfare.

The Qur'an, Islam's central religious text, brought about a definitive change. It abolished the practice of nasi, establishing a purely lunar calendar. In Surah At-Tawbah (Chapter 9, Verse 36), it is stated:

"The number of months in the sight of Allah is twelve (in a year)—so ordained by Him the day He created the heavens and the earth; of them, four are sacred..."

This verse is a pivotal moment in the history of the Islamic calendar. It not only establishes the fixed number of months in a year but also sanctifies four of them—Muharram, Rajab, Dhul-Qi'dah, and Dhul-Hijjah—during which warfare is prohibited. By eliminating the intercalary month, the Qur'an ensured that the Islamic calendar would be a purely lunar one, with each month beginning with the sighting of the new moon.

The actual starting point of the Hijri calendar, however, was not the revelation of the Qur'an itself, but rather a significant event in early Islamic history: the Hijra, or the migration of the Prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE. This event marked a turning point for the Muslim community, transforming them from a persecuted minority into a sovereign community.

The decision to make the Hijra the starting point of the calendar was not made by the Prophet Muhammad himself, but was a later development. According to Hadith, the second Caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab, gathered his companions to establish a uniform dating system for administrative purposes. During this consultation, various suggestions were put forth, including the birth of the Prophet or the beginning of his revelation. However, Umar and his companions settled on the Hijra as the most fitting starting point, as it represented the "separation between truth and falsehood" and the establishment of the Islamic state.

Thus, the Islamic calendar, in its final form, is a system of 12 lunar months, with a year of approximately 354 days. This makes the Hijri year about 11 days shorter than the solar year, causing Islamic dates to shift forward in the Gregorian calendar each year. This unique feature means that Islamic events, such as Ramadan and Hajj, occur in different seasons over a 33-year cycle.

The Hadith, a collection of sayings and traditions attributed to the Prophet Muhammad, provides further details on the lunar calendar. One famous Hadith states:

"Start the fast when you see the crescent (of Ramadan) and break the fast when you see the crescent (of Shawwal), but if the sky is cloudy, complete the number of days of the month to thirty."

This Hadith emphasizes the reliance on physical moon sighting to determine the start and end of months. This practice, known as ru'yah hilal, has been a source of debate among Muslim communities throughout history, with some relying on astronomical calculations and others on direct observation.

The narrative of the Islamic calendar is a testament to the intersection of faith, history, and community. It is a system rooted in the divine command of the Qur'an, solidified by a pivotal historical event, and guided by the practical wisdom found in the Hadith. It is a calendar that not only marks the passage of time but also serves as a constant reminder of the spiritual journey of the Muslim community, from its humble beginnings in Mecca to its global presence today.

1. Muharram (المُحَرَّم)

Muharram, meaning "forbidden," is the first month and one of the four sacred months in Islam. The name reflects the pre-Islamic custom of forbidding warfare during this month. The 10th of Muharram, known as Ashura, is a significant day. For Sunni Muslims, it's a day of voluntary fasting, commemorating the day Allah saved Prophet Moses and the Israelites from the Pharaoh. For Shia Muslims, it's a day of deep mourning to commemorate the martyrdom of Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala.

2. Safar (صَفَر)

The name Safar means "void" or "empty," possibly because it was a time when pre-Islamic Arabs would leave their homes to raid or travel for trade after the sacred month of Muharram. While there are no specific obligatory acts of worship for this month, several important historical events took place, including the Prophet Muhammad's migration (Hijra) from Mecca to Medina and the Battle of Khaybar.

3. Rabi' al-Awwal (رَبِيع ٱلْأَوَّل)

This name translates to "the first spring." It's an especially significant month for many Muslims because it marks the birth of the Prophet Muhammad on the 12th of Rabi' al-Awwal. This day is celebrated as Mawlid al-Nabi. It's a time for reflection on the Prophet's life, his teachings, and his character.

4. Rabi' al-Thani (رَبِيع ٱلْآخِر)

Meaning "the second spring," this month marks the continuation of spring from the previous month. It does not have any major religious observances, but it is a time for Muslims to continue the spiritual practices they may have started in Rabi' al-Awwal.

5. Jumada al-Awwal (جُمَادَىٰ ٱلْأُولَىٰ)

The name literally means "the first of parched land" or "to freeze." Historically, this month fell during the winter, a time of dry and frozen earth. There are no major religious celebrations or obligations, but it serves as a period for spiritual growth and reflection.

6. Jumada al-Thani (جُمَادَىٰ ٱلْآخِرَة)

Meaning "the last of parched land," this month continues the themes from the previous one. It's a month that holds historical significance for some Muslims, as it marks the birth and death of Fatima al-Zahra, the Prophet's youngest daughter, for Shia Muslims.

7. Rajab (رَجَب)

Rajab is the second of the four sacred months, and its name means "respect" or "honor." It is considered a time of heightened spiritual significance, and warfare is forbidden. Most Muslims believe the 27th of Rajab to be the night of Isra and Mi'raj, the Prophet Muhammad's miraculous night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and his ascension to the heavens.

8. Sha'ban (شَعْبَان)

Sha'ban is often referred to as "the month of the Prophet." It is a month for spiritual preparation before the arrival of Ramadan. The Prophet Muhammad would frequently fast during this month. The 15th night of Sha'ban, known as Laylat al-Bara'ah (Night of Forgiveness), is a time for Muslims to seek forgiveness and pray.

9. Ramadan (رَمَضَان)

Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. It is the month of fasting (sawm), which is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Muslims abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs from dawn until sunset. The month culminates in the celebration of Eid al-Fitr.

10. Shawwal (شَوَّال)

The first day of Shawwal is Eid al-Fitr, a joyous day of celebration that marks the end of Ramadan. The name means "lift or carry," possibly alluding to the end of the fasting and the lifting of one's spiritual burdens. Many Muslims observe six optional fasts during this month, which, when combined with the fasts of Ramadan, are said to be equivalent to fasting for an entire year.

11. Dhul-Qi'dah (ذُو ٱلْقِعْدَة)

Dhul-Qi'dah is another of the four sacred months, and its name means "the one of the sitting" or "truce." Historically, it was a time when Arabs would refrain from fighting and traveling, and it serves as the final month of preparation for the Hajj pilgrimage.

12. Dhul-Hijjah (ذُو ٱلْحِجَّة)

Dhul-Hijjah is the final and a highly significant month. Its name translates to "one of the pilgrimage," as it is the month when the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca takes place. The first ten days are considered the holiest days of the year, with the Day of Arafat (9th of Dhul-Hijjah) being the most important day of Hajj. The month concludes with Eid al-Adha (the Festival of Sacrifice), which commemorates Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice