The History of the Hijri Calendar in Islam تاريخ التقويم الهجري

The History of the Hijri Calendar in Islam

The Hijri calendar, also known as the Islamic calendar, is a lunar calendar used predominantly for religious purposes by Muslims across the world. Its establishment dates back to the time of Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA), during which a formal, standardized method of calculating years became necessary due to the expanding Islamic state. The Hijri calendar does not merely serve chronological purposes, but it also preserves and commemorates one of the most pivotal events in Islamic history the Hijrah (migration) of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from Makkah to Madinah.

Origins and Establishment of the Hijri Calendar

In the early Islamic state, dates were referenced according to significant events, such as “the Year of the Elephant.” However, as Islam spread, more official documentation and recordkeeping became necessary, particularly during the reign of Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA). A dispute regarding the date of a contract led Caliph Umar to consult his companions on choosing a fixed point in time to begin an Islamic calendar.

Among the proposals—Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ birth, first revelation, or his death—the consensus was on the Hijrah, as it marked the formation of the first Islamic state in Madinah. This migration signified a turning point, as Muslims moved from a state of persecution to one of religious freedom and governance. Hence, year 1 AH (After Hijrah) was established, starting in 622 CE.

Allah mentions the importance of the lunar months in the Qur’an:

"إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِندَ اللَّهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ، مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ..."

“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...”

(Qur’an, Surah At-Tawbah 9:36)

This verse affirms the divine origin of the twelve-month lunar system, a practice already recognized before Islam but preserved and sanctified in Islamic tradition.

Structure of the Islamic Calendar

The Hijri calendar is purely lunar, and each month begins with the sighting of the new moon. It comprises 12 months and roughly 354 days, making it shorter than the Gregorian calendar by about 11 days. The months are:

1. Muḥarram
2. Ṣafar
3. Rabīʿ al-Awwal
4. Rabīʿ ath-Thānī
5. Jumādā al-Ūlā
6. Jumādā ath-Thāniyah
7. Rajab
8. Shaʿbān
9. Ramaḍān
10. Shawwāl
11. Dhū al-Qaʿdah
12. Dhū al-Ḥijjah

Four of these months—Muḥarram, Rajab, Dhū al-Qaʿdah, and Dhū al-Ḥijjah—are sacred, during which warfare and conflict were historically forbidden.

Religious Significance

The Hijri calendar plays a central role in Islamic rituals and acts of worship. The two Eids—Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, Ramadan fasting, Hajj pilgrimage, and significant nights like Laylat al-Qadr are all determined by this calendar.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

"إِذَا رَأَيْتُمُوهُ فَصُومُوا، وَإِذَا رَأَيْتُمُوهُ فَأَفْطِرُوا، فَإِنْ غُمَّ عَلَيْكُمْ فَاقْدُرُوا لَهُ."

"Start fasting on seeing it (the crescent) and break your fast on seeing it. If the sky is overcast (and you cannot see it), then calculate it."

(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 1906)

This Hadith illustrates the lunar basis of Islamic timekeeping and the deep connection between religious rituals and moon sighting.

Migration (Hijrah) as the Starting Point

Choosing the Hijrah as the beginning of the Islamic calendar was a powerful statement. It wasn’t merely a migration; it was a rebirth of the Muslim community. The Qur’an highlights this pivotal moment:

"وَمَن يُهَاجِرْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ يَجِدْ فِي الْأَرْضِ مُرَاغَمًا كَثِيرًا وَسَعَةً..."

"Whoever emigrates for the cause of Allah will find on the earth many [alternative] locations and abundance..."

(Qur’an, Surah An-Nisā’ 4:100)

This migration also fulfilled the prophecy and guidance from Allah, as the Prophet ﷺ was divinely protected during his escape from Makkah to Madinah (Surah At-Tawbah 9:40).

Contemporary Relevance

Though many Muslim-majority countries use the Gregorian calendar for civil affairs, the Hijri calendar is still vital for determining religious dates. Countries like Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan still use it officially. In today’s world, many Muslim communities use both moon sightings and astronomical calculations, sometimes leading to differences in start dates across regions.

Still, the Hijri calendar is not just a time-tracking system; it’s a reflection of Muslim identity, heritage, and obedience to divine order.

Conclusion

The Hijri calendar is a timeless symbol of the Islamic faith. It emerged from a practical need but was rooted in a spiritual milestone: the Hijrah. It continues to guide Muslims in their worship, rituals, and remembrance of Allah. Its establishment by the Rightly Guided Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab and its connection to both Qur’anic instruction and Prophetic tradition show how Islam harmonizes practical needs with divine revelation.

References (APA Style)

• Al-Bukhari, M. I. (n.d.). Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 1906.
• The Noble Qur’an. (n.d.). Surah At-Tawbah 9:36, 9:40; Surah An-Nisā’ 4:100. Retrieved from https://quran.com
• Ibn Kathir, I. (2003). Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Abridged). Riyadh: Darussalam.
• Al-Mubarakpuri, S. R. (2002). The Sealed Nectar: Biography of the Noble Prophet. Riyadh: Darussalam.
• Esposito, J. L. (2003). The Oxford Dictionary of Islam. Oxford University Press.