Importance of the Islamic (Hijri) Calendar in Islam
Published: · اردو میں پڑھیں
Muslims use the lunar Hijri calendar to know when Ramadan begins, when Eid falls, when Hajj is performed and when many other obligations are due. Its basis is in the Quran itself.
إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِندَ اللَّهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ
Twelve months, set by Allah
Allah says: “Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah from the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them.” (Quran 9:36)
The new moons are markers of time
“They ask you about the new moons. Say: they are measurements of time for the people and for Hajj.” (Quran 2:189). And: “It is He who made the sun a shining light and the moon a derived light and determined for it phases, so that you may know the number of years and the reckoning [of time].” (Quran 10:5)
Worship depends on it
Ramadan fasting (Quran 2:185), the months of Hajj (Quran 2:197), the sacred months (9:36) and the Prophet ﷺ’s instruction “Fast when you see it [the crescent] and stop fasting when you see it” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1909, Sahih Muslim 1081) all tie worship to the lunar months. Knowing today’s Hijri date is therefore a practical part of a Muslim’s life.
Why a lunar year moves through the seasons
A lunar month is 29 or 30 days, so the Hijri year is about 354–355 days, roughly 11 days shorter than the solar year. That is why Ramadan and Eid move earlier each Gregorian year.
Check the date: Islamic date today in Pakistan · Islamic date tomorrow · Hijri calendar
Frequently asked questions
How many months are in the Islamic calendar?
Twelve, as stated in Quran 9:36. Four of them are sacred.
Why is the Hijri calendar lunar?
The Quran describes the new moons as markers of time for people and for Hajj (2:189), and each month begins with the new crescent.
Why does Ramadan come earlier every year?
The Hijri year is about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year, so Islamic dates shift earlier each solar year.
References
- Quran 9:36
- Quran 2:189
- Quran 10:5
- Quran 2:185, 2:197
- Sahih al-Bukhari 1909; Sahih Muslim 1081