Table of Contents
Introduction
The Islamic calendar, also known as the Hijri calendar, is a lunar calendar used by Muslims all over the world to determine the dates of religious events, such as Ramadan and Hajj. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, which is based on the solar year, the Islamic calendar is based on the cycles of the moon. This means that the start and end dates of each month are determined by the sighting of the new moon.
What Year is it on the Islamic Calendar?
The Islamic calendar began in the year 622 CE, which is the year that Prophet Muhammad migrated from Mecca to Medina. This event, known as the Hijra, marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar. The Islamic calendar is based on lunar years, which are 354 or 355 days long. This means that the Islamic year is shorter than the Gregorian year, which is 365 or 366 days long.
How is the Islamic Calendar Calculated?
The Islamic calendar is calculated based on the sighting of the new moon. The first day of each month is determined by the sighting of the new moon. If the new moon is not sighted, then the current month is extended to 30 days. The Islamic calendar has 12 months, and each month is either 29 or 30 days long.
What Year is it on the Islamic Calendar Today?
As of 2023, the Islamic year is 1444 AH. This means that Muslims all over the world are currently in the year 1444 of the Hijri calendar. The Islamic year is denoted by the letters AH, which stands for Anno Hegirae, meaning “in the year of the Hijra.”
What are the Months of the Islamic Calendar?
The Islamic calendar has 12 months, and each month is either 29 or 30 days long. The months are as follows:
- Muharram
- Safar
- Rabi’ al-awwal
- Rabi’ al-thani
- Jumada al-awwal
- Jumada al-thani
- Rajab
- Sha’ban
- Ramadan
- Shawwal
- Dhu al-Qi’dah
- Dhu al-Hijjah
Why is the Islamic Calendar Important?
The Islamic calendar is important for Muslims because it determines the dates of religious events, such as Ramadan and Hajj. It also helps Muslims to keep track of the lunar months and to align their daily prayers with the phases of the moon.
Conclusion
The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar used by Muslims all over the world to determine the dates of religious events. The calendar began in the year 622 CE, and as of 2023, Muslims are in the year 1444 AH. The Islamic calendar is important for Muslims because it helps them to keep track of the lunar months and to align their daily prayers with the phases of the moon.
Question and Answer
Q: How long is an Islamic year?
A: An Islamic year is either 354 or 355 days long.
Q: What does AH stand for?
A: AH stands for Anno Hegirae, meaning “in the year of the Hijra.”
Q: How is the start of each month determined in the Islamic calendar?
A: The start of each month in the Islamic calendar is determined by the sighting of the new moon.
Q: How many months are there in the Islamic calendar?
A: There are 12 months in the Islamic calendar.