Eid-Ul-Fitr (~) in Zambia

The Islamic Calendar (Arabic Calendar)

The Hijri Calendar: A Lunar System

The Islamic calendar (Arabic Calendar), also known as the Hijri calendar (1446 AH), is based on the phases of the moon, unlike the solar-based Gregorian calendar. Its starting point is the Hijrah, which was the Prophet Muhammad's migration to Medina. A new month officially begins when the new moon is sighted at the close of the previous month. Because the start of each month depends on this lunar sighting, the calendar provides an estimated, rather than a fixed, schedule for upcoming Islamic dates.

Calendar Structure and Months

Like the Gregorian calendar, the Islamic year has 12 months. However, it is shorter, with each year containing approximately 354 to 355 days compared to the 365 or 366 days of the Gregorian calendar. The months in order are: Muharram, Safar, Rabi al-Awwal, Rabi al-Thani, Jumada al-Awwal, Jumada al-Thani, Rajab, Shaban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhul Qadah, and Dhul Hijjah.

Sacred Months

Four months in the Islamic calendar are considered sacred, and it's forbidden to wage war during them. As stated in a narration from the Prophet (PBUH) found in Bukhari (3197), these months are: 'Dhul-Qa'dah, Dhul-Hijjah, and Muharram, which occur in succession, and the fourth is Rajab.'

Important Events and Online Resources

Key Islamic holidays and major events, such as Eid al-Fitr, Hajj, and Eid al-Adha, are determined by the dates of the Hijri calendar. The Muslim Pro app and website provides these dates, which allow you to easily convert dates between the Hijri and Gregorian systems. Many of these resources let you view both calendars side-by-side for convenience. This makes it simple to plan for Islamic holidays and events.