Islamic calendar

Islamic calendar. The Islamic calendar, also known as the Hijri calendar, is a purely lunar system used by Muslims worldwide to determine the dates of religious observances. Its epoch is the Hijrah, the migration of the Prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE. The calendar consists of twelve lunar months, with its most significant periods including the fasting month of Ramadan and the month of the Hajj pilgrimage.

History and origins

The calendar was formally instituted during the reign of the second Rashidun Caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab, around 638 CE. Scholars and companions, including Ali ibn Abi Talib, advised that the epoch should commemorate the pivotal Hijrah, which established the first Muslim community in Medina. This event marked a decisive break from the pre-Islamic lunar calendars used in the Arabian Peninsula, such as those referenced in the Poetry of pre-Islamic Arabia. The decision standardized timekeeping for the expanding Caliphate, replacing various dating systems used during the early years following the death of Muhammad. The calendar's adoption was a key administrative reform for the nascent Islamic state, alongside other innovations like the Diwan of Umar.

Structure and months

The calendar comprises twelve months: 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. Four of these—Dhu al-Qi'dah, Dhu al-Hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab—are considered sacred months, a designation inherited from pre-Islamic Arab tribes. Each month begins with the sighting of the new moon, traditionally requiring visual confirmation by witnesses. The lunar year is approximately 354 days long, causing the calendar to cycle through the solar year and the seasons over a 33-year period. This structure means events like Ramadan and the Hajj occur in different Gregorian calendar seasons over time.

Observational vs. tabular methods

Traditionally, the beginning of each month is determined by the actual sighting of the crescent moon, a method upheld by authorities like Saudi Arabia's Umm al-Qura Calendar for religious purposes. This observational method can lead to variations in start dates between different countries, such as Pakistan, Indonesia, and Morocco. In contrast, the tabular method, used for civil purposes in some nations, employs astronomical calculations and a fixed cycle of 30 years, with 11 leap years. This computational approach is favored by organizations like the Federation of Islamic Associations in North America and is integral to many digital calendar applications. The debate between these methods reflects broader discussions within Islamic jurisprudence and modern astronomy.

Religious significance and use

The calendar is fundamental to Islamic rituals. The month of Ramadan is a period of fasting from dawn to sunset, culminating in the festival of Eid al-Fitr. Dhu al-Hijjah contains the rites of the Hajj, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, ending with Eid al-Adha. Other significant dates include Laylat al-Qadr during Ramadan, the Islamic New Year on 1 Muharram, and Ashura on 10 Muharram, commemorated differently by Sunnis and Shias. The calendar dictates the timing of Islamic holidays and events like the Battle of Badr and the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah are historically dated within it. Its use is mandated for worship, though many Muslim-majority states, such as Egypt and Algeria, use the Gregorian calendar for civil affairs.

Relation to other calendars

Being purely lunar, it diverges from lunisolar calendars like the Hebrew calendar and solar calendars like the Gregorian calendar, losing about 10-12 days each year against the solar cycle. This difference is why Islamic months traverse all seasons. The calendar's epoch year, 622 CE in the Julian calendar, is a cornerstone for conversion between systems. Historically, it replaced various pre-Islamic calendars in the Middle East, such as those used in the Sasanian Empire and the Byzantine Empire. In modern times, its coexistence with the globally dominant Gregorian calendar is seen in dual-date systems in countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran, the latter which also uses the Solar Hijri calendar for official purposes. Category:Lunar calendars Category:Islamic culture