The Islamic New Year

The Islamic year begins on the first day of the month of Muḥarram, based on the event of the Hijra, the migration of the Prophet Muhammad. However, it should be emphasized here that the Hijra itself, that is, the migration from Mecca to Yathrib – later known as Medina – probably did not take place at the beginning of this month. Caliph ʿUmar b. al-Ḫaṭṭāb, who ruled from 634 to 644, introduced the calendar to record and date significant events. To define a common calendar, the companions of the Prophet decided to choose the Hijra as the starting point for the new calendar. This departure symbolizes a fundamental change in Islamic historiography: the transition from ignorance (al-ğāhilīya) to divine guidance, which was constituted through the Prophet's revelation. Like the solar year, the Islamic lunar year consists of 12 months, of which 4 are considered sacred. The Islamic months are called: Muḥarram, Ṣafar, Rabīʿ al-Awwal, Rabīʿ aṯ-Ṯānī, Ğumādā al-Awwal, Ğumādā aṯ-Ṯānī, Rağab, Šaʿbān, Ramaḍān, Šawwāl, Ḏū l-Qaʿda, and Ḏū l-Ḥiğğa.1 As already mentioned, the Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle, which is why the festivals and holidays of Islam never fall on the same day of the Gregorian calendar. The shifting of days often leads to disagreements and differences, especially regarding the start of fasting in Ramadan. Depending on legal opinions and geographical location, Muslims can often start the fasting month with a deviation of one day, either later or earlier; similar differences arise in determining the end of Ramaḍān and other Islamic holidays and festivals.

The holy months are highlighted here.