Islamic Calendar

The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar consisting of 12 months in a year of 354 or 355 days. It is used to determine the proper days of Islamic holidays and rituals, such as the annual period of fasting and pilgrimage. The Islamic calendar is also known as the Hijri calendar or the Muslim calendar. The Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle. The first year of the Islamic calendar began in 622 CE, when the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) migrated from Mecca to Medina. This event, known as the Hijra, marks the beginning of the Islamic era. The Islamic calendar is lunar, meaning that it is based on the phases of the Moon. Each month begins with the sighting of the new Moon. Because the lunar cycle is shorter than the solar cycle (29.53 days versus 30.44 days), the Islamic calendar is 10-11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar used in the West. This means that Islamic holidays and festivals occur 10-11 days earlier each year, gradually shifting through the seasons. The Islamic calendar is not used in Saudi Arabia, where the official calendar is the Gregorian calendar. However, the Islamic calendar is used in other countries, such as Iran and Afghanistan. The Islamic calendar has 12 months, which are based on the lunar cycle. The first month, Muharram, begins with the sighting of the new Moon. The months are named as follows: Muharram Safar Rabi' al-Awwal Rabi' al-Thani Jumada al-Ula Jumada al-Akhirah Rajab Sha'ban Ramadan Shawwal Dhu al-Qi'dah Dhu al-Hijjah The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, which means that the months are based on the cycles of the Moon. The lunar month is 29 or 30 days long, so the Islamic year is 354 or 355 days long. This is 10-11 days shorter than the solar year, so Islamic holidays and festivals gradually shift through the seasons. The Islamic calendar is used to determine the proper days for Islamic holidays and rituals. The most important Islamic holiday is Ramadan, which is a month of fasting. Muslims fast from dawn to dusk during Ramadan, and they are only allowed to break their fast after sunset. Ramadan is followed by the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which is a time of celebration and feasting. The Islamic calendar is also used to determine the proper days for pilgrimage, or Hajj. Every able-bodied Muslim is required to make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime. The Hajj takes place during the month of Dhu al-Hijjah, and it is a time of intense spiritual activity. The Islamic calendar is an important part of Muslim life. It is used to determine the proper days for holidays and rituals, and it is also a reminder of the cyclical nature of time.