The Islamic Calendar vs. the Gregorian Calendar: A Comparative Insight
Welcome to The Forgotten Muslim, where we delve into the depths of Islamic knowledge and explore various aspects of our faith. In this post, we will embark on a fascinating journey to understand the Islamic Calendar and its distinctive features when compared to the widely used Gregorian Calendar.
The Islamic calendar, also known as the Hijri calendar, is a dating system used in the Islamic world for religious purposes. It is based on a year of 12 months, with each month beginning approximately at the time of the new moon. The months alternate between 30 and 29 days in length, except for the 12th month, Dhūl-Ḥijjah, which follows a 30-year cycle intended to align the calendar with the true phases of the moon.
Allah, the Exalted and Majestic, says,
“We made the night and the day as two signs, then darkened the night and made the daylight for seeing, for you to seek your Lord’s bounty and to know how to count the years and calculate. We have explained everything in detail.” (QS. Al-Israa’: 12)
Allah, the Most High, also mentioned,
“It is He who made the sun a shining radiance and the moon a light, determining phases for it so that you might know the number of years and how to calculate time. God did not create all these without a true purpose; He explains His signs to those who understand.” (QS. Yunus: 5)
In this verse, it is stated that Allah, the Almighty, has connected knowledge of the number of years and the calculation of time to the moon’s orbit in its designated places.
There are perspectives among scholars suggesting that this can also be understood through the shining sun and the illuminated moon. The calculation of years and months can be known through the moon’s orbit, while the calculation of days and weeks can be known through the sun’s orbit. Thus, with the presence of the sun and the moon, the time measurement becomes complete.
Allah, the Almighty, has ordained the division of time into twelve months, as mentioned in His words:
“God decrees that there are twelve months- ordained in God’s Book on the Day …” (QS. At-Taubah: 36)
This is based on the number of stars that surround the sun and is referred to as the solar (Syamsiyah) year, known as the Gregorian year. When the moon completes its orbit around the sun, it is known as the lunar (Qamariyah) year, known as the Hijri year.
Allah has determined the measurement based on the lunar cycle because the moon is clearly visible in the sky without calculating or recording. It is a matter that is evident and observable to the naked eye, unlike the journey of the sun, which requires calculation and recording to determine its movement. Therefore, we do not require such calculations in the moon’s orbit around the sun.
The Islamic day begins at the preceding sunset on the evening of 15 July. This unique calendar system has its origins in the reign of Khalifa Umar ibn al-Khattab when it was officially established. Prior to the Hijri calendar, Muslims relied on significant events in Muslim history, such as the birth of Prophet Muhammad, to demarcate time.
However, around seventeen years after the Prophet’s migration, during the reign of Khalifa Umar ibn al-Khattab, a concern was raised by Abu Musa al-Ash’ari, an official in Basrah, regarding the lack of consistency in dates on the correspondence he received. In response, Abu Musa al-Ash’ari sent a letter to Khalifa Umar, urging him to devise a new method for calculating dates.
Khalifa Umar deliberated on the matter with his advisors, who proposed different options such as using the date of the Prophet’s birth or death as the starting point for a new calendar. However, after careful consideration, the majority agreed that the calendar should commence from the date of the Prophet’s migration. Seeking further counsel, Khalifa Umar consulted the esteemed companions of the Prophet, Uthman ibn Affan and Ali bin Abi Talib, both of whom concurred with this decision.
This momentous decision by Khalifa Umar and the consensus reached by the esteemed companions highlight the importance placed on establishing a standardized and reliable calendar for the Muslim community.
The first year of the Hijri calendar corresponds to 622 A.D. in the Gregorian calendar, symbolizing the year when Prophet Muhammad migrated (hijrah) with the Muslim community from Mecca to start a new life in Medina. The Islamic calendar holds immense importance for Muslims, not only to commemorate significant Islamic events but also to serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made for the cause of truth and the preservation of Revelation.
The Islamic calendar consists of 12 months, and each month is based on the position and phases of the moon. The lunar calendar changes over time, and every year, the placement of each month is different from that of the previous year. An Islamic year does not conform to seasons and is about 10 days shorter than the solar year.
Here is a list of the 12 Islamic calendar months:
Each month in the Islamic calendar is significant and symbolizes a particular meaning. Almost every month features an obligatory event or a festivity that grants Muslims the opportunity to earn extra blessings. For example, Muharram is the month of martyrdom, while Ramadan is the month of fasting and reflection. The month of Dhul Hijjah is significant because it is the month of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.
By following the Islamic calendar, Muslims can observe these special months and engage in acts of worship and reflection that hold immense spiritual value. The arrangement of the months in the Islamic calendar allows for a diverse range of celebrations, providing opportunities for Muslims to deepen their faith and connect with the rich heritage of Islamic traditions.
A person who is truly fortunate is the one who utilizes the days, months, and special moments to draw closer to their Lord through acts of worship. They hope to attain the mercy of Allah and find happiness in being saved from the flames of Hell.
Ibn Abi Dunya, Ath-Thabrani, and others narrated a hadith from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said, “Seek all goodness and prepare yourselves to receive the outpouring of mercy from your Lord, for Allah has mercy that He bestows upon whomever He wills from His servants. Ask Allah to cover your faults and grant you security from fear.” (Narrated by Al-Baihaqi)
In the upcoming blogs, we will continue to explore various aspects of the Islamic Calendar, shedding light on the significance and observances associated with each month.
Join us as we rethink the forgotten treasures of our faith and gain a deeper understanding of the Islamic calendar’s impact on our spiritual lives.
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