Islamic Calendar 1437

Surely the reckoning of months, in the sight of Allah, is twelve months, laid down in Allah's decree on the day when He created the heavens and the earth; and out of these months, four are sacred. That is the true ordainment. Do not, therefore, wrong yourselves with respect to these months. And fight all together against those who associate others with Allah in His Divinity in the manner that they fight against you all together, and know well that Allah is with the God-fearing. At-Tawba (9:36)

The Hijri or Islamic Calendar, is a calendar based on the positioning of the moon and consists of 12 lunar months of either 354 or 355 days. The name Hijri was adopted from the event of the migration (Hijrah) of the Prophet Muhammad from Makkah to Medina in 622 CE, the same year that marks the beginning of the Islamic Calendar. The year of Hijrah is referred to as 1AH. Each of the 12 months, starting from Muharram and ending on Dhu al-Hijjah, commence based on the birth of the new lunar cycle. The first sighting of the crescent moon marks the beginning of a new month and the conclusion of the previous month. An Islamic day starts at sunset and ends at sunset. Each month either consists of 29 or 30 days depending upon the sighting of the moon. The sighting itself depends upon the visibility of the crescent moon, the astronomical position of the Moon concerning the earth as well as weather conditions. The onset of Islamic events may vary in different regions of the earth due to the reliance on moon sightings. 

The Difference Between Hijri and Gregorian Calendar 

The cardinal difference between the Islamic Calendar and the Gregorian Calendar lies in how they are calculated. The Islamic Calendar is based on the phases of the moon and its physical sightings, whereas the Gregorian Calendar relies on the positioning of the Earth relative to the Sun. 

The Islamic Calendar has 29 or 30 days a month, with total days in a year amounting to 354 or 355. On the other hand, the Gregorian Calendar comprises 30 or 31 days in a month (except February of leap year), and the total days are 365 (a normal year or 366 (leap year), thus establishing a difference of 10 to 11 days with the Hijri Calendar year.

Gregorian to Hijri with Muslim and Quran Date Converter

1. Download the Muslim and Quran Pro App and open it or visit the website online.
2. On the home interface, select the 'Islamic calendar' option either by swiping down or accessing it from the drop-down menu in the top left corner.
3. Once the new interface appears, click on the date converter in the bottom left corner of your mobile phone or the top right corner of the website.
4. From there, you can convert the dates from the Hijri calendar to the Gregorian calendar or vice versa.

Special Islamic Dates 

Muslims observe different events and festivities according to the Islamic calendar. These occasions hold spiritual and historical importance for Muslims. Some of the special Islamic events and dates are:

• New Islamic Year (Muharram)
• Day of Ashura
• 12 Rabi-ul-Awal (Birth of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)
• Laylat al Mi’raj
• Laylat al Bara’at
• Ramadan (Fasting month)
• Laylat Al Qadr
• Eid al Fitr
• Hajj
• Day of Arafat
• Eid al Adha

Al-Ashhur al-Hurum - The 4 Sacred Months of the Islamic Calendar 

The 4 sacred months in the Islamic Calendar have been decreed by Allah in Surah Tawba Verse 36. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ explained the 4 months, which is quoted in Sahih Bukhari: 

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَهَّابِ، حَدَّثَنَا أَيُّوبُ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِيرِينَ، عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي بَكْرَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي بَكْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " الزَّمَانُ قَدِ اسْتَدَارَ كَهَيْئَتِهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ، السَّنَةُ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا، مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ، ثَلاَثَةٌ مُتَوَالِيَاتٌ ذُو الْقَعْدَةِ وَذُو الْحِجَّةِ وَالْمُحَرَّمُ، وَرَجَبُ مُضَرَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ جُمَادَى وَشَعْبَانَ ".

Narrated Abu Bakra:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said. "(The division of time has turned to its original form, which was current when Allah created the Heavens and the Earths. The year is of twelve months, out of which four months are sacred: Three are in succession Dhul-Qa' da, Dhul-Hijja, and Muharram, and (the fourth is) Rajab of (the tribe of) Mudar, which comes between Jumadi-ath-Thaniyah and Sha ban." Sahih al-Bukhari 3197

These are the months of no fighting or the inviolable months. Moreover, these months serve the purpose of increasing the sense of God's consciousness among Muslims since both the sins and rewards are magnified in the eyes of Allah during these months. 

The 4 sacred months are:

1. Dhul-Qidah

The 11th month in the Islamic Calendar. Learn about the events that took place in Dhul Qidah here.

2. Dhul-Hijjah 

The 12th month in the Hijri Calendar. This month is marked by the observance of the fifth pillar of Islam, Hajj. Know more about this month here.

3. Muharram

The 1st month in the Islamic Calendar. Get more information about Muharram.

4. Rajab

The 7th month in the Hijri Calendar. You can learn more about this month here.

Al-Ashhur al-Hijriyah (The Hijri Months)

These include the rest of the 8 months in the Islamic calendar. These months are:
1. Safar

More information about the month of Safar.

2. Rabi' al-Awwal

More info about the month of Rabi al-Awwal.

3. Rabi' al-Thani 

More information about the month of Rabi' al-Thani.

4. Jumada al-Awwal or Jumada al-Oula

More information about the month of Jumada al-Oula.

5. Jumada al-Thani or Jumada al-Akhira 

More information about the month of Jumada al-Thani.

6. Sha'ban

More information about the month of Shaban.

7. Ramadan

More information about the month of Ramadan.

8. Shawwal

More information about the month of Shawwal.

The Most Special Islamic Month - Ramadan

Ramadan, also known as the month of fasting (Sawm), the third pillar of Islam. It is the 9th month in the Islamic Calendar. The month is divided into three phases or Ashras. 

This month is important for self-purification and spiritual growth for Muslims as well as significant in terms of achieving Taqwa (Piety and God-Consciousness) and cleansing of one's sins. 

It was in the month of Ramadan that the first revelation of the Holy Quran was made to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and it is amongst the odd days of the last Ashra that the ‘Laylat Al-Qadr’ is expected.

To know more about the month of Ramadan, its norms, do’s and don'ts, and the best way to observe this holy month, visit this page.