The world we live in uses different kinds of calendars to track time. You might be familiar with the Gregorian calendar, which many countries use today. But did you know that there’s another calendar used by Muslims around the world? It’s called the Hijri calendar or Islamic lunar calendar, and it’s based on the lunar cycle—the phases of the moon.
The Hijri calendar plays a special role in Islam, helping Muslims track important religious events, like Ramadan, Hajj, and the Eid celebrations. By understanding the Hijri calendar, you can explore Islamic history and traditions in a fun and interactive way!
Through Noor Academy’s interactive and 100% online Islamic studies programs kids can explore the Hijri calendar while deepening their understanding of key Islamic teachings in a fun, engaging way.
How the Hijri Calendar Works
The Hijri calendar works differently from the Gregorian calendar. While the Gregorian calendar is based on the solar calendar (the Earth’s orbit around the Sun), the Islamic lunar calendar is based on the Moon’s orbit around the Earth. This means that the Hijri calendar follows the lunar cycle, with each month lasting either 29 or 30 days, depending on when the new moon is sighted.
Each time a new moon appears, a new lunar month begins, making the lunar year about 10 to 12 days shorter than the solar year used in the Gregorian calendar. As a result, Islamic holidays, like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, move back about 10 days every year on the Gregorian calendar!
For example, Ramadan—the holy month of fasting—will start earlier each year when compared to the Gregorian calendar. Isn’t that fascinating?
Unlike other calendars, like the Julian calendar or Gregorian calendar, the Hijri calendar does not have leap days or intercalary months to balance out the year, making the lunar months move through all the seasons over time.
A Quick Comparison: Lunar vs. Solar Calendars
- Gregorian Calendar: Based on the Sun’s movement (solar calendar), with 365 days in a year.
- Hijri Calendar: Based on the Moon’s phases (lunar calendar), with around 354 or 355 days in a year.
Learning about how the Hijri calendar works helps us understand why Islamic events fall on different days each year when compared to the Gregorian calendar!
To help your children understand the Hijri calendar, explore our post on teaching kids the importance of Ramadan, one of the most significant months in the Islamic year
The Significance of the Hijri Year
The Hijri calendar began with a very important event in Islamic history—Prophet Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina. This migration is known as the Hijra, which is where the Hijri calendar gets its name. The first year of the Islamic year marks the time when the first Muslim community was established in Medina.
The term Hijra means “migration” in Arabic, and this event was so significant that it was chosen as the starting point for the Islamic calendar. The Hijri year is also shorter than the Gregorian year by about 10 or 11 days, which is why the Islamic calendar doesn’t align exactly with the Gregorian calendar.
In Islamic history, the Hijra symbolizes the Muslim community’s journey to escape persecution and find a place where they could freely practice their faith. This is why the Hijri year is considered special—it represents a new beginning for the Islamic community.
The Twelve Months of the Hijri Calendar
Just like the Gregorian calendar, the Hijri calendar has twelve months. However, these months are based on the lunar cycle. Each month begins when the crescent moon is first sighted in the sky. Let’s take a look at the twelve months of the Hijri calendar:
- Muharram: The first month of the Islamic year, considered a sacred month.
- Safar: The second month, during which Muslims reflect on the lessons from history.
- Rabi al-Awwal: The third month, known for the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
- Rabi al-Thani: The fourth month, following Rabi al-Awwal.
- Jumada al-Awwal: The fifth month, part of the winter months in the Hijri calendar.
- Jumada al-Thani: The sixth month.
- Rajab: Another sacred month, often a time for increased worship.
- Sha’ban: The month before Ramadan, known for extra preparation and fasting.
- Ramadan: The ninth and most important month, when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset.
- Shawwal: The month that follows Ramadan, beginning with Eid al-Fitr.
- Dhu al-Qi’dah: A sacred month of peace and preparation for Hajj.
- Dhu al-Hijjah: The final month, during which Hajj takes place, ending with Eid al-Adha.
Some of these months, like Muharram and Rajab, are known as sacred months where peace and reflection are emphasized.
The ninth month, Ramadan, is perhaps the most famous, as it’s the month of fasting and one of the pillars of Islam. The tenth day of Muharram, known as Ashura, holds special importance for Shia Muslims, who commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain.
Special Days in the Hijri Calendar
Throughout the Hijri year, there are many special days and celebrations that Muslims observe:
- Ramadan: The most significant month for fasting, reflection, and prayer. Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset to grow closer to Allah.
- Eid al-Fitr: The festival of breaking the fast, celebrated at the end of Ramadan with joy and feasting.
- Hajj: A pilgrimage to Mecca that takes place in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah.
- Eid al-Adha: Celebrated after the Hajj pilgrimage, marking the story of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his willingness to sacrifice for Allah.
- Ashura: Observed in Muharram, especially important to Shia Muslims for remembering the sacrifice of Imam Hussain.
These events move each year due to the shorter lunar year, meaning that Ramadan, for example, might occur during different seasons as the years pass.
How to Use the Hijri Calendar in Everyday Life
Even though most countries use the Gregorian calendar for everyday activities, the Hijri calendar is still essential for Muslims. Here are some fun and practical ways to use the Hijri calendar at home:
- Track Islamic holidays: You can use a Hijri calendar alongside your regular calendar (like a Google calendar) to keep up with Islamic events and celebrations.
- Set reminders: Families can create reminders for important dates, like Ramadan, Eid al-Adha, and Hajj, to help children understand when these special times are coming.
- Monthly observation: Kids can try observing the lunar phases and marking when the new moon appears, signaling the start of a new month.
By using the Hijri calendar, families can stay connected to Islamic traditions and better understand the rhythm of Islamic religious events throughout the year.
Interactive Activity: Create Your Own Hijri Calendar
Learning about the Hijri calendar is not only educational but also a fun way to connect with Islamic traditions. By creating your own personalized Hijri calendar, you can better understand how the lunar calendar works and track important Islamic events throughout the year. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to incorporate some creativity and artistic expression into the learning process!
Making a Hijri calendar at home can be a family-friendly project that allows children to explore both the Islamic calendar and Islamic art, like geometric patterns and arabesques. It helps kids visualize the passing of the lunar months and recognize the special days and celebrations in Islam.
Materials Needed:
- Paper or a large poster board
- Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
- A ruler to draw the calendar grid
- Optional: stickers, glitter, or other decorations for personalization
Steps:
- Draw a grid: Using a ruler, draw a large grid with 12 boxes for each month of the Hijri calendar. Make sure there’s enough space to write in the names of the months and important dates.
- Label each month: Start by labeling the months in order, beginning with Muharram. Write the names of each month clearly and boldly. You can also add Arabic names to give it a more traditional touch, such as Rabi al-Awwal or Dhu al-Hijjah.
- Decorate: Now comes the fun part! Add designs to your calendar using markers, crayons, or colored pencils. You can draw Islamic geometric patterns, stars, and crescent moons to represent the lunar nature of the calendar. You can even look back at the Exploring Islamic Art: A Creative Journey for Kids post for inspiration.
- Add important dates: Mark key Islamic events and holidays on your calendar, such as Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and the start of Hajj. This way, you’ll always be prepared for upcoming celebrations and special days. You can also highlight personal dates that are important to your family, like the day of fasting or any Islamic observances you follow.
- Personalize: Feel free to personalize your calendar by adding stickers, glitter, or other decorations. Make it unique to your style and preferences!
By completing this activity, you’ll have a beautiful Hijri calendar that not only helps you track Islamic months but also showcases your creativity. You’ll see how Islamic art can blend with learning about Islamic traditions, making education both meaningful and fun. Keep the calendar in a visible place, like on a wall or desk, to stay connected with Islamic events all year long!
Conclusion
The Hijri calendar is an essential part of Islamic culture, helping Muslims around the world stay connected to their faith and traditions. By learning about how the lunar calendar works, children can gain a deeper understanding of Islamic history and the significance of religious events.
Why not start tracking the Hijri months and observe how the new moon signals the beginning of each one? With creativity and a bit of exploration, you can engage with Islamic traditions in a fun and meaningful way. If you’d like to explore more about Islamic practices and culture, check out Noor Academy’s programs for engaging and educational resources.
