The Islamic Hijri Calendar โ Explained
The Islamic calendar, known as the Hijri calendar (ุงูุชูููู
ุงููุฌุฑู), is a lunar calendar of 12 months based on the cycles of the moon. Each month begins with the sighting of the crescent moon (hilal) and lasts 29 or 30 days. An Islamic year is approximately 354 days long โ about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian solar year.
The calendar begins from the year of the Hijrah โ the Prophet Muhammad's ๏ทบ migration from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE. This event is so significant that the second Caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab, established it as the starting point of the Islamic era by decree. The current Islamic year is 1447 AH (Anno Hegirae).
The Hijri calendar determines the timing of all major Islamic occasions: Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Hajj, Muharram, and the Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr). Because the lunar year is shorter than the solar year, Islamic dates rotate through all seasons over a 33-year cycle.
The 12 Months of the Hijri Calendar
1. Muharram โ Sacred month; includes Ashura (10th)
2. Safar โ Known as the month the Sahabah travelled
3. Rabiโ al-Awwal โ Birth of the Prophet ๏ทบ
4. Rabiโ al-Thani โ Second spring month
5. Jumada al-Ula โ First of two winter months
6. Jumada al-Thania โ Sixth month of the year
7. Rajab โ Sacred month; includes Israโ and Miโraj
8. Shaโban โ Month before Ramadan
9. Ramadan ๐ โ Month of fasting; Laylat al-Qadr
10. Shawwal โ Eid al-Fitr on the 1st
11. Dhu al-Qiโdah โ Sacred month of Hajj preparation
12. Dhu al-Hijjah ๐ โ Hajj; Eid al-Adha on the 10th
Islamic Calendar โ FAQ
What is today's Islamic date?
Today's Islamic (Hijri) date is shown at the top of this page and is automatically calculated based on the current Gregorian date. The Hijri calendar is 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, so Islamic dates shift earlier each solar year.
When does Ramadan 2026 start?
Ramadan 1447 AH is expected to begin around 17โ18 February 2027 (the exact date depends on the moon sighting). The previous Ramadan (1446 AH) fell in March 2025.
Why is the Islamic year shorter than the Gregorian year?
The Islamic calendar is a purely lunar calendar. Each month follows the moon cycle (about 29.5 days), giving 12 months ร 29.5 = 354 days per year โ approximately 11 days shorter than the 365-day solar Gregorian year. No leap months are added, so Islamic dates rotate through all seasons over a 33-year cycle.
When is Eid al-Adha in 2026?
Eid al-Adha 2026 (1447 AH) is expected to fall on or around 26 May 2026, subject to moon sighting confirmation. It falls on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah every year.
Also see: Islamic Calendar 2026โ2027 (full guide) ยท Ramadan Guide for Beginners ยท When Is Laylatul Qadr?