Understanding the Muslim New Year: The Hijrah Calendar Explained

The Muslim new year, known as the Hijrah calendar, holds significant importance in the Islamic religious and cultural calendar. This calendar, which culminates in the month of Muharram and the first day, marks a pivotal historical event in Islamic history. Beyond its historical origins, the Hijrah calendar plays a crucial role in determining dates for Islamic celebrations and fasting. Let's delve deeper into when the Muslim new year begins, its history, and why it remains relevant today.

Hijrah Calendar Overview

The Hijrah calendar, also known as the Islamic calendar or the Lunar Islamic calendar, operates on a 12-month, lunar cycles basis, with each month corresponding to the lunar cycle. Unlike the Gregorian calendar used in most of the world, which is based on the solar cycle, the Hijrah calendar does not include a leap year to account for the extra 11 minutes and 14 seconds of the solar year. This results in the Islamic New Year (the start of Muharram) falling roughly 10-11 days earlier each year.

Historical Background of the Hijrah

The Hijrah calendar begins with the month of Muharram, with its first day coinciding with the Hijrah, a significant event in Islamic history. The Hijrah refers to the migration of Muhammad and the Muslim community from Makkah to Madina in 622 CE. This migration, known as the Hijrah in Arabic, marks the starting point of the Islamic calendar and the first year (1 AH, anno hegira).

The city of Madina, where Muhammad founded the first Islamic state, became the new center of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula. This event not only marked a shift in political and social structures but also in the religious calendar, as it officially recognized the Islamic faith as a major force in the region. The change in the calendar system from the lunisolar calendar used in pre-Islamic Arabia to the pure lunar Hijrah calendar was a deliberate move by the leaders of the Islamic ummah to establish a clear break with its pre-Islamic past and to emphasize the continuity of Islamic traditions.

The Importance of the Hijrah Calendar Today

While the Hijrah calendar is not used to measure years in the secular context, it continues to play a critical role in the Islamic religious calendar. Here are a few key ways the Hijrah calendar remains relevant:

Islamic Dates: The Hijrah calendar is used to determine the exact dates for religious observances, such as the month of Ramadan, the Hajj pilgrimage, and other Islamic festivals that are based on the lunar calendar. Rituals and Clocks: The Hijrah calendar is closely tied to the timings of daily prayers, which are performed five times a day according to the position of the sun and moon. Cultural Identity: The calendar serves as a unifying symbol of Islamic identity and cultural heritage, highlighting the historical journey of the Muslim community.

For example, today, December 25, 2019 CE, is 28th of Rabi' al-Thani 1441 AH. The “anno hegira” (AH) designation indicates the year in the Hijrah calendar, emphasizing the historical significance of the event that initiated this calendar.

Conclusion

The Hijrah calendar is a testament to the rich history and cultural heritage of the Muslim community. While the dates may change each year, the significance of the Muslim new year remains unchanged. By understanding the origins and importance of this calendar, one can better appreciate the depth of Islamic culture and the historical context of the faith.

Related Keywords

Islamic Calendar Hijrah Calendar Muslim New Year