| Muslim Months |
Length |
| Muharram |
30 days |
| Safar |
29 days |
| Rabee ul-Awwal |
30 days |
| Rabee ul-Thani |
29 days |
| Jumadi ul-Awwal |
30 days |
| Jumadi ul-Thani |
29 days |
| Rajab |
30 days |
| Shaban |
29 days |
| Ramadhan |
30 days |
| Shawwal |
29 days |
| Zul-Qeda |
30 days |
| Zul-Hijja |
29 days [30 in l/y] |
The Islamic calendar is based upon 622 CE, the year when the Prophet travelled from Mecca to Medina. The abbreviation "H" or "AH" is used after the date; it stands for "Hegira" or "Anno Hegira".
It is a lunar calendar that repeats itself every 30 years. It consists of twelve months alternating 30 and 29 days each. The first day of each month is determined by the sighting of the new moon. The year is reckoned to have 354 days, that is 11 days shorter than the solar year, but the last month, Zul-Hijja, sometimes has an intercalated day added making it 30 days long and the year 355 days.
Years 2, 5, 7, 10, 13, 16, 18, 21, 24, 26 and 29 are leap years and have 355 days. About three times a century, Muslims can celebrate two new years during one Gregorian year.
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In some places the dates may be delayed by one day. They are based on moon sightings at Mecca.
Al Hijra:- [1 Muharram]
Al-hijra is the Islamic New Year. This marks the migration of the Prophet Mohammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina.
Ashura:- [10 Muharram]
Ashura is a Shi'a holiday celebrating the martyrdom of Iman Hussein. Devout Shi'a beat themselves with chains and barbed wire in memory of the martyrdom.
Mawlid an-Nabi:- [12 Rabee I]
This is the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad.
Some Muslims do not approve of celebrating the birthday, and regard doing so as a religious innovation. Sunni Muslims celebrate this 5 days earlier than Shi'a Muslims.
Lilat al-Miraj:- [27 Rajab]
The festival celebrates the Prophet Muhammad's journey from Mecca to Jerusalem in a single night. From Jerusalem he ascended into heaven, where he met the earlier prophets, and eventually God.
Lilat al-Bara'h:- [15 Shaban]
This day falls about a fortnight before the start of Ramadan and is traditionally celebrated in anticipation and preparation for the coming month of Ramadan. Muslims fast and spend the night in prayer.
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Ramadan:-[1 Ramadan]
Ramadan is the holiest period in the Islamic year; it honours the lunar month in which the Qur'an was revealed to humanity. The observance of Ramadan lasts for one month and believers take no food, drink or tobacco from sunrise to sunset.
Lilat al-Kadra:- [27 Ramadan]
This is the Evening of Destiny, celebrating the revelation of the Qur'an.
Eid al-Fitr:- [1 Shawwal]
This marks the end of Ramadan when Muslims celebrate the end of fasting and thank Allah for His help with their month-long act of self-control. It commonly lasts three days.
Waqf al-afra:- [9 Zul-Hijja]
Waqf al-afra marks the start of the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca that Muslims should complete at least once in their lifetime.
Eid al-Adha:- [10 Zul-Hijja]
Is the Feast of Sacrifice or Day of Sacrifice. It is the culmination of the Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca). |
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