📅 Hijri Calendar

About the Hijri (Islamic) Calendar

The Hijri calendar (Arabic: التقويم الهجري) is the lunar calendar used throughout the Muslim world to date Islamic holidays and religious events. It was established by the second Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) in 17 AH (638 CE) and named after the Hijrah — the migration of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE, which is year 1 AH (After Hijrah).

Unlike the Gregorian (solar) calendar, the Hijri calendar follows the cycle of the moon. Each month begins with the sighting of the new crescent (hilal) and lasts 29 or 30 days, making a Hijri year about 354–355 days long — approximately 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year. This is why Islamic holidays drift earlier each year in the Gregorian calendar.

The 12 Hijri Months

1. Muharram — sacred month, contains the Day of Ashura.
2. Safar
3. Rabi al-Awwal — contains Mawlid an-Nabi.
4. Rabi al-Thani
5. Jumada al-Awwal
6. Jumada al-Thani
7. Rajab — sacred month, contains Isra and Mi'raj.
8. Sha'ban — contains Laylat al-Bara'ah.
9. Ramadan — the month of fasting; contains Laylat al-Qadr.
10. Shawwal — Eid al-Fitr on the 1st.
11. Dhu al-Qi'dah — sacred month.
12. Dhu al-Hijjah — sacred month; contains Hajj, Day of Arafah, and Eid al-Adha.

Major Islamic Events

• 1 Muharram — Islamic New Year
• 10 Muharram — Day of Ashura (recommended fast)
• 12 Rabi al-Awwal — Mawlid an-Nabi (commemorating the Prophet's ﷺ birth)
• 27 Rajab — Isra and Mi'raj (the Night Journey)
• 15 Sha'ban — Laylat al-Bara'ah (Night of Forgiveness)
• 1 Ramadan — First day of fasting
• 27 Ramadan — Likely Laylat al-Qadr
• 1 Shawwal — Eid al-Fitr
• 9 Dhu al-Hijjah — Day of Arafah (Hajj)
• 10 Dhu al-Hijjah — Eid al-Adha

Frequently Asked Questions

What's today's Hijri date?

Today's Hijri date is displayed at the top of this page, based on the Umm al-Qura calculation. Note that some regions may differ by 1 day based on local moon sighting.

Why is the Hijri calendar shorter than the Gregorian?

The Hijri calendar is purely lunar (12 lunar months ≈ 354 days), while the Gregorian is solar (365.25 days). This 11-day difference causes Islamic dates to drift earlier in the Gregorian calendar each year.

How is the start of each month determined?

Traditionally by sighting the new crescent moon (hilal) at sunset. Modern calculations such as Umm al-Qura predict the dates astronomically, which most countries use officially.

Can I convert any date?

Yes. Use the Gregorian → Hijri or Hijri → Gregorian converter above. The conversion is calculated via the AlAdhan API using Umm al-Qura.

Related on QuranCentral