In a Nutshell:
The Islamic calendar, also known as the Hijri calendar, began in the year 622 CE to mark the Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) migration from Mecca to Medina, a pivotal event in Islamic history known as the Hijrah.
Introduction
The Islamic, or Hijri, calendar is a lunar calendar based on the cycles of the moon and it plays a central role in Muslim life. It determines the dates of significant religious observances like Ramadan, Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha, as well as the start of the sacred pilgrimage, Hajj.
Unlike the solar-based Gregorian calendar, the Islamic calendar has twelve months that are either 29 or 30 days in length. Due to this difference, the Islamic year is approximately 11 days shorter than a Gregorian year.
The Islamic calendar holds profound historical significance for Muslims. Its starting point, the Hijrah, marks a turning point in the history of Islam. This event in 622 CE, when the Prophet (pbuh) and his followers migrated from Mecca to Medina to escape persecution, laid the foundation for the first Muslim community and the establishment of an Islamic state.
Evidences
The Islamic calendar’s starting point is firmly established through various sources of evidence:
The Quran
The Quran emphasizes the significance of lunar cycles in determining time:
They ask you about the new moons. Say, ‘They are time periods for the people and for Hajj.’ (Quran 2:189)
The Hadith
Several hadiths (reports of the Prophet’s (pbuh) words and actions) narrate the institution of the Hijri calendar:
The year is twelve months, of which four are sacred: three consecutive months, Dhul-Qadah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab of Mudar which is between Jumada and Shaban. (Sahih al-Bukhari)
Companions’ Opinions:
The Companions of the Prophet (pbuh), who were witnesses to the Hijrah and the early Islamic period, unanimously agreed on the Hijrah as the starting point of the Islamic calendar.
Traditional Scholars’ Quotes
Throughout Islamic history, renowned scholars have consistently reaffirmed the Hijrah as the cornerstone of the Islamic calendar:
Imam Al-Shafi’i (8th-9th century CE):
The scholars are in consensus that the starting point of the [Islamic] calendar is the Hijrah of the Prophet (pbuh).
When Did the Islamic Calendar Start?
The selection of the Hijrah as the Islamic calendar’s beginning was a deliberate and profound decision by the Muslim community under the leadership of the second Caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab (ra). His intention was to create a distinct identity for the burgeoning Muslim civilization. Before the Hijrah, Muslims, like the Arabs of the time, did not have a unified calendar system and were subject to the calendars of other empires and societies around them.
The Hijrah marked a pivotal moment for Islam, symbolizing:
- Triumph over persecution: It represented the Muslims’ escape from oppression in Mecca and the establishment of a safe haven in Medina.
- Foundation of the Islamic state: The Hijrah enabled the Prophet (pbuh) to establish a society governed by Islamic principles, laying the foundation for an Islamic state.
- Strengthening of the Muslim community: In Medina, the Muslims could freely practice their religion and build a strong, unified community.
By starting the Islamic calendar with the Hijrah, Muslims commemorated this watershed moment that ushered in a new era of freedom, unity and the flourishing of Islamic civilization.
Misconceptions about Start of Islamic Calendar
Here are some common misunderstandings about the origins of the Islamic calendar:
The Islamic calendar existed before the Hijrah.
Actually, the Arabs of pre-Islamic times followed lunar calendars with intercalation (adding extra days to align with the solar year). However, there was no single, unified Arabic calendar before the Hijrah.
The Islamic calendar started with the Prophet’s (pbuh) birth.
While the Prophet’s (pbuh) birth is a significant event in Islamic history, it was not chosen as the starting point of the calendar. The Hijrah held greater historical and political importance for the early Muslim community.
The Islamic calendar started with the first revelation to the Prophet (pbuh).
Although the first revelation marks the beginning of the Prophet’s (pbuh) prophethood, the Hijrah signifies a pivotal turning point in the history of the Islamic community.
The Islamic calendar was imposed by Caliph Umar (ra).
Instead, the decision to start the Islamic calendar with the Hijrah was a result of consultation with the Companions of the Prophet (pbuh), reflecting their collective wisdom.
The Islamic calendar is purely symbolic.
While the Islamic calendar has symbolic value, it also serves as a practical tool for Muslims to regulate their religious and social lives.
Objections to the Hijrah as the Starting Point
Some individuals might raise these objections to using the Hijrah as the Islamic calendar’s beginning:
The Hijrah was a stressful event.
The Hijrah involved hardship, but it also represented a triumph of faith and resilience for the early Muslims.
Other significant events could have been used.
While other events are important, the Hijrah had the most transformative impact on the Muslim community’s development.
The Islamic calendar causes inconvenience due to its difference from the Gregorian calendar.
The Islamic calendar’s unique nature reinforces Muslim identity and connects Muslims to their lunar heritage.
The Islamic calendar’s start date is arbitrary.
The Hijrah was a well-documented historical event, making its date a reliable starting point, even if some precision may be debated.
The Hijrah is only significant to those on the Arabian peninsula.
The Hijrah transcends regional boundaries as a symbol of standing up for one’s faith and the establishment of a just Islamic society.
FAQs
1. What is the first month of the Islamic calendar? The first month is Muharram.
2. Why is the Islamic year shorter than the Gregorian year? The Islamic calendar is lunar, while the Gregorian calendar is solar.
3. When did the Hijrah take place in the Gregorian calendar? Approximately in the year 622 CE.
4. Why is the Islamic calendar important to Muslims?It determines the dates of religious observances and facilitates a shared sense of community.
5. Are there variations in the Islamic calendar across the world? There may be minor variations in sighting the new moon, leading to slight differences in start dates for months.
Conclusion
The Islamic calendar, a testament to the enduring legacy of Islam, began with the watershed event of the Hijrah in 622 CE. This pivotal act of migration by the Prophet (pbuh) and his followers from Mecca to Medina marked a turning point in Islamic history, signifying the triumph of faith, the establishment of an Islamic community and the foundation of a new civilization.
By choosing the Hijrah as the starting point of their calendar, Muslims not only established a distinct identity but also enshrined a profound historical event that fundamentally shaped their faith and community. The Islamic calendar continues to be a cornerstone of Muslim life, uniting Muslims worldwide in their remembrance of significant religious events and the shared rhythm of Islamic practice.
#Islamic #calendar #start
