The Hijri calendar (also known as the Islamic or Lunar calendar) is used to determine Islamic holidays and events. It is based on the lunar cycle, with each year consisting of 12 lunar months totaling 354 or 355 days.
The calendar began during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), who established the Prophet Muhammad's ﷺ migration (Hijra) from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE as year one.
Difference from Gregorian Calendar
The Hijri year is approximately 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year. This means Islamic events like Ramadan and Hajj move through the seasons over a 33-year cycle.
💡 Did You Know?
The four sacred months in Islam are: Dhul-Qi'dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab. Fighting was prohibited during these months in pre-Islamic Arabia, and Islam confirmed their sanctity.