History and Starting of "The Islamic Calendar"

The Islamic Calendar, which is based purely on lunar cycles, was first introduced in 638 A.D. by the close companion of Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon him) and the Second Caliph, `Umar ibn Al-Khattab (592-644 A.D.). He (May ALLAH be pleased with him) did it in an attempt to rationalize the various, and at times conflicting, dating systems used during his time.

`Umar consulted with his advisors on the starting date of the new Muslim chronology. It was finally agreed that the most appropriate reference point for the Islamic calendar was the Hijrah. The Hijrah, which chronicles the migration of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from Makkah to Madinah in September 622 A.D., is the central historical event of early Islam. It led to the foundation of the first Muslim city-state, a turning point in Islamic and world history.

The Islamic (Hijri) Calendar consists of 12 months, starting with Muharram and ending with Zul-Hijja. The sequence of Hijri months are listed below :-

1st Month - Muharram
2nd Month - Safar
3rd Month - Rabi-Ul-Awwal
4th Month - Rabi-Ul-Akhir
5th Month - Jumada-Awwal
6th Month - Jumada-Akhir
7th Month - Rajab
8th Month - Sha`baan
9th Month - Ramadhan
10th Month - Shawwaal
11th Month - Zul-Qaidah
12th Month - Zul-Hijjah

Almighty ALLAH says in the Holy Quran :-

"The number of months in the sight of ALLAH is twelve (in a year), so ordained by Him the day He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are sacred: that is the straight usage. So wrong not yourselves therein, and fight the Pagans all together as they fight you all together. But know that ALLAH is with those who restrain themselves." (At-Tauba / 36)

Furthermore, Almighty ALLAH, the Lord of the Universe, refers to the lunar cycles as follows :-

"It is He who made the sun to be a shining glory and the moon to be a light (of beauty), and measured out stages for it; that ye might know the number of years and the count (of time). Nowise did ALLAH create this but in truth and righteousness. (Thus) doth He explain His Signs in detail, for those who understand." (Yunus / 5)

Each of the Hijri month has its own SIGNIFICANCE and bears testimony to IMPORTANT events in the Biography of the Life of the Holy Prophet, Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon him). They serve as a reminder to Muslims (men and women) of the STRUGGLE of the Blessed Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him) to accomplish his task of conveying the MESSAGE of ISLAM (Submission to ALLAH). Moreover, the Hijri months are closely linked with the SUNNAH (tradition) of Muhammad (Peace and Blesings be upon him) and his TEACHINGS to Mankind.

There is no doubt that anyone who believes in Almighty ALLAH and His Last Messenger, Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon him) has at heart the observance of the SUNNAH (tradition) of the Blessed Prophet, as concerns the events in each of the Hijri month. This observance is indeed a great FAVOUR that Almighty ALLAH has bestowed on believers in order to mould the life of the muslim.