The Islamic lunar calendar is based on the position of the moon. It has 12 months, just like the Georgian calendar, but a new moon determines the change in months. Muslims all over the world use this calendar to mark important Islamic occasions, such as Ramadan and Hajj. Moreover, this calendar is also used to spot other important Islamic occasions, such as Eid. It is also known as the Hijri calendar because it started after the Prophet SAW migrated to Madinah.
How Does the Islamic Lunar Calendar Work?
According to Nasa, every lunar cycle lasts about 29.5 days. Therefore, each month in the Islamic lunar calendar also lasts 29 to 30 days, which makes the Islamic year a total of 354-355 days. Whereas the Georgian year lasts about 365 days. Each month is marked by the ‘birth’ of a new crescent moon. According to Islam, it is enough for one Muslim community to spot the crescent moon.
Why Is the Islamic Lunar Calendar Important?
In reality, the Islamic lunar calendar is extremely beneficial to Muslims worldwide. Since the Islamic lunar calendar is based on the moon, this means that each year, the Islamic months occur on different dates. And since the Islamic calendar is roughly 11 days shorter than the Georgian calendar, all Islamic months move 11 days back every year. This allows Muslims all over the world to experience different Islamic occasions in varying seasons.
For example, in the Georgian calendar, there are fixed summer months, such as June and July. But in the Islamic calendar, Ramadan, Eid, or Hajj aren’t fixed in certain months, which allows Muslims to experience these occasions in different seasons.
If Muslims followed the Georgian calendar, Ramadan would occur in the same month every year. This would mean that if Ramadan falls during the summer in the northern hemisphere, it would happen in the winter in the southern hemisphere. As a result, Muslims in the northern hemisphere would face longer fasting hours compared to their counterparts in the southern hemisphere, putting them at a disadvantage.
In this way, the Islamic lunar calendar ensures that each Muslim experiences all Islamic months in different seasons.
Months Of The Islamic Lunar Calendar
There are 12 months in the Islamic calendar.
1. Muharram
Muharram is the first month of the Hijra calendar and marks the beginning of a new Islamic year. It is also the first of the four sacred months. Muharram comes from the Arabic term “haram,” meaning forbidden. This month holds such significance that warfare is prohibited during Muharram, as engaging in conflict would undermine its sacredness.
2. Safar
Safar is derived from the Arabic word “sifr,” which translates to “empty” or “void.” This name could reflect the pre-Islamic custom of Arabs emptying their homes and migrating during this month.
3. Rabi‘a al-awwal
It is the third month in the Islamic calendar and the month in which the Prophet was born. It is referred to as the “first spring,” which also means to graze, as cattle were grazed during this month.
4. Rabi‘a ath-thani
The fourth month of the Islamic calendar. Rabi’a ath-thani is an Arabic word that translates into ‘second spring.’ This month is sometimes also called Rabi Al-Aakhir, which means ‘the last spring’ and refers to the end of the spring season.
5. Jumada al-awla
This month’s name is also derived from Arabic and means ‘the first of the parched land.’ Although it is not a sacred month, several important occasions took place in Jumada al-Awla. For example, some scholars believe that this was the month in which the Prophet PBUH married Khadija RA. Another important event in this month was the battle of Mu’tah.
6. Jumada al-akhirah
This month translates into ‘the last of the parched land’ and was the month in which the daughter of the Prophet PBUH, Fatima RA, was born. In pre-Islamic Arabia, months were named based on seasonal conditions or common practices. “Jumada” comes from a word meaning dry, parched land, or freezing, likely reflecting the weather when the month was originally named.
7. Rajab
The second of the four sacred months in the Islamic calendar. Rajab translates to ‘respect’ or ‘honor.’ It is a month full of important Islamic events. Such as the birth of Ali RA, the battle of Tabuk, and the journey of ascension to the heavens (Al Isra’ wal Miraj). Since this month is sacred, fighting is prohibited in this month.
8. Sha‘ban
Sha’ban means ‘scattered’ or ‘split and divide’ and refers to the time when the Arab tibes would scatter in search of water. It is also the month in which the Prophet PBUH fasted the most, except for the month of Ramadan.
Usamah bin Zaid said, “I asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I do not see you fasting in any month as much as Sha’ban.‘ He replied, ‘That is a month people overlook, between Rajab and Ramadan, during which deeds are taken up to the Lord of the worlds, and I like my deeds to be taken up while I am fasting.‘
[Sunan an-Nasa’i 2357]
9. Ramadan
Ramadan is the month in which Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. The word Ramadan means ‘burning heat.’ In this month, the rewards for blessings are increased, and Muslims are encouraged to do as many good deeds as possible. Ramadan is also the month in which Laylatul Qadr (the night of decree) is observed.
The Prophet Muhammad said, “Ramadan has come to you, a blessed month that God has commanded you to fast. During this month, the gates of heaven are opened, the gates of hell are closed, and the devils are chained. There is a night in it that is better than a thousand months, and anyone who is deprived of its goodness is truly deprived.”
10. Shawwal
The tenth month and means ‘raised.’ This month was named so because a camel would normally be carrying a fetus at this time of the year in the pre-Islamic era. This month begins with Eid-ul-Fitr and the next six days of Shawwal, in which Muslims are encouraged to keep six supererogatory fasts that hold immense rewards.
11. Dhu al-Qa‘da
Dhu al-Qa’da is the third of the four sacred months, and fighting is also prohibited in this month. Dhu al-Qa’da means the ‘month of truce’ and has many important events, such as the treaty of Hudaybiyyah.
12. Dhu al-Hijjah
Dhu al-Hijjah is the last month of the Islamic calendar and the fourth of the sacred months. It translates to ‘the one of the pilgrimage’ and is the month in which the Hajj is performed and Eid ul-Adha is celebrated.