The Hijri Calendar: A Brief Introduction

By Zaheer Uddin

The Hijri or Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycles. The Hijri calendar is usually abbreviated A.H. from the Latinized Anno Hegirae, "in the year of the Hegira". Muharram 1, 1 A.H. corresponds to Friday, July 16, 622 C.E.

In 638 C.E., six years after the death of the Prophet Muhammad (s), the second caliph 'Umar (r) recognized the necessity of a calendar to govern the affairs of the Muslims. This was first of all a practical matter. Correspondence with military and civilian officials in the newly conquered lands had to be dated.

The Hijrah, which chronicles the migration of the Prophet Muhammad (s) from Makkah to Madinah in September 622 C.E., 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.                                                                                                                                 Read More