How Many Months Are There In The Islamic Calendar?

Introduction

The Islamic calendar, also known as the Hijri calendar, is based on the lunar cycle. It was introduced by the second caliph, Umar ibn Al-Khattab, in the year 638 CE. The Islamic calendar consists of 12 months, just like the Gregorian calendar, but the length of each month varies. In this article, we will explore the months of the Islamic calendar in detail.

The Twelve Months of the Islamic Calendar

The Islamic calendar starts with the month of Muharram and ends with the month of Dhu al-Hijjah. The twelve months of the Islamic calendar are:

• Muharram
• Safar
• Rabi al-Awwal
• Rabi al-Thani
• Jumada al-Awwal
• Jumada al-Thani
• Rajab
• Sha’ban
• Ramadan
• Shawwal
• Dhu al-Qadah
• Dhu al-Hijjah

What is the Length of Each Month?

The length of each month in the Islamic calendar can be either 29 or 30 days, depending on the sighting of the new moon. The average length of a month in the Islamic calendar is 29.53 days. This means that the Islamic calendar is 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar.

What is the Significance of the Islamic Months?

Each month in the Islamic calendar has its own significance. For example, the month of Ramadan is the month of fasting, while the month of Dhu al-Hijjah is the month of Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca. The month of Muharram is also significant as it marks the beginning of the Islamic New Year.

Question and Answer

Q: How Does the Islamic Calendar Differ from the Gregorian Calendar?

A: The Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle, while the Gregorian calendar is based on the solar cycle. This means that the length of each month in the Islamic calendar can vary, while the length of a month in the Gregorian calendar remains constant at either 30 or 31 days.

Q: How Do Muslims Use the Islamic Calendar?

A: Muslims use the Islamic calendar to determine the dates of religious events and festivals, such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. The Islamic calendar is also used to determine the beginning and end of the month of fasting, Ramadan.

Q: How Do Muslims Determine the Start of a New Month in the Islamic Calendar?

A: Muslims rely on the sighting of the new moon to determine the start of a new month in the Islamic calendar. This is done by a group of knowledgeable Muslims who observe the sky at sunset on the 29th day of the current month. If the new moon is sighted, the new month begins the next day. If the new moon is not sighted, the current month is extended to 30 days and the new month begins the day after.

Conclusion

The Islamic calendar is an important part of the Muslim faith and is used by Muslims all over the world to determine the dates of religious events and festivals. The twelve months of the Islamic calendar are based on the lunar cycle and can be either 29 or 30 days long. Each month has its own significance and is celebrated in different ways by Muslims around the world.