"Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah." [Qur'an 48:29]
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Islam Muslim Faith Examined!The Islamic Calendar Year |
The Islamic Year is based on the sighting of the new moon. The Islamic Year is about 11 years shorter than the Gregorian Year. Events, therefore, occur in all seasons, as the Islamic Year moves on the Gregorian Year.
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Month and date |
Event |
What it commemorates |
What happens |
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Muharram 1st |
Hijrah (Migration) |
The Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) moves to Madinah, 622AD, and establishes first Islamic state. The Islamic Calendar is calculated from this date. |
Islamic Year begins. |
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Muharram 10th |
Ashura |
The martyrdom of Imam Hussein (May Allah Be Pleased With Him), at Kerbala in Iraq, 620AD. |
People fast during daylight hours and retell the events. |
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Rabi' al-Awal 12th-17th |
Maulid-an Nabi |
The birth, life and example of Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). Sunni (12th) and Shi'ah (17th) Muslims acknowledge different dates for the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). The week from the 12th-17th is used to promote Islamic unity. |
People meet to recite Sirah, the Prophet Muhammad's (Peace Be Upon Him) biography, give thanks to Allah for the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and his good example, and encourage love for the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). |
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Jumada al-Awwal 15th |
The birthday of Zayn al-Abidin |
Great grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and son of Imam Hussein (May Allah Be Pleased With Him). He wrote a beautiful book of prayers. |
People meet to remember this great man. |
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Jumada al-Thani 20th |
Yawm al-Zahrah |
The birthday of Fatimah Zahrah, daughter of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), and mother of Imam Hussein (May Allah Be Pleased With Him). She is known as the leader of women. |
Shi'ah Muslims encourage love of Fatimah and the following of her good example with poems and stories about her life. In Iran, this day is also commemorated as women's or mother's day. |
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Rajab 27th |
Laylat ul-Isra wal Mi'raj |
The night journey of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). On this night the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was taken by the angel Jibril from the mosque in Makkah to Mount Moriah in Jerusalem. Here he led the Prophets (May Allah Be Pleased With Them) in prayer. Then he travelled up through the heavens until he reached the very throne of the Creator. Allah in His mercy revealed to him the order of 5 obligatory times of prayer every day and night. |
People make efforts to say extra prayers at night. |
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Sha'ban 14th-15th |
Laylat ul-Barat |
The Night of Promises when Allah decides what will happen to all of his creation in the coming year. |
People make efforts to pray for forgiveness and in gratitude and hope for the future. |
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Ramadan 1st |
Month of fasting starts |
The month of fasting starts, as orderd by Allah in the Quran. |
People fast from sunrise to sunset each day |
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Ramadan 23rd-27th |
Laylat ul-Qadr |
The Night of Power. Hidden night which occurs on an one of the odd dates during the last ten days of Ramadan. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him received the first revelation of the Quran on one of the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. |
People make efforts to pray and thank Allah for His guidance. |
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Shawal 1st |
Id ul-Fitr |
Festival to mark the end of fasting and the start of the new month. |
People attend Id prayers at the mosque and give zakah (zakat-ul-Fitr) to ensure everyone can join the festivities. After prayers they have a feast. Later they visit friends and relatives. |
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Dhu'l Hijjah 8th-10th |
The Hajj |
Events in the life of the Prophets Ibrahim, Isma'il and Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Them) are remembered, as ordered in the Quran. |
Muslims should make the Hajj at least once in their life. |
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Dhu'l Hijjah 10th-12th |
Id ul-Adha |
The feast of sacrifice which is part of the Hajj. |
An animal may be sacrificed. People attend Id prayers at mosque. After prayers they have a feast. Later they visit friends and relatives. |
