Calendar, Holidays, and Festivals of Early Islamic World

Islamic Time Table

The Gregorian calendar, which is used in the west, and the Islamic calendar are not the same. Based on the moon, the Islamic calendar’s 12 months each have 29 or 30 days. Thus, either 354 or 355 days make up the Islamic year. Islamic holidays and festivals migrate every year in comparison to the western calendar because the Islamic calendar contains fewer days (usually 11 fewer).

Months

1. Muharram
2. Safar
3. Rabi al-Awwal
4. Rabi al-Thani
5. Jumada al-Awwal
6. Jumada al-Thani
7. Rajab
8. Sha’ban
9. Ramadan
10. Shawwal
11. Dhu al-Qi’dah
12. Dhu al-Hijjah

Year

When the Prophet Muhammad and his companions moved from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE, the first year of the Islamic calendar officially began. The “Hijrah” is the name of this exodus. The Islamic year is thus denoted by the abbreviation AH, which stands for “after the Hijrah.”

Holidays and Festivals

Muslims place a lot of importance on religious holidays and festivals. Numerous days have been designated as holidays in order to commemorate or celebrate specific moments in the history of Islam. These are the two most significant holidays: Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha.

The Hijrah
On the first day of the month of Muharram, Al Hijrah, the Islamic New Year, is observed. It commemorates the day that Muhammad and his companions left Mecca for Medina. Sometimes, the name of this festival is just “Muharram.” Muslims typically think and pray quietly throughout the day.

Ashura
This festival is a fasting day that occurs on the tenth of Muharram.

Mawlid ‘an ‘Nabi
On the twelfth day of Rabi al-Awwal, we commemorate the birth of Muhammad. Parades and music are common ways to mark this day.

Ramadan –
The ninth month of the Islamic calendar is Ramadan. Because it is the month when Muhammad received the Quran, it holds great significance for Muslims. Muslims abstain from food and liquids from dawn to sunset each day during the month-long fast of Ramadan.

Laylat al-Qadr –
The Night of Power is yet another name for this day. It recalls the night when Muhammad received the Quran for the first time and occurs near the end of Ramadan.

Eid al-Fitr –
Ramadan ends on this day, which is also referred to as the Breaking of the Fast. It is observed on the first day of the Shawwal month. Muslim families frequently get together for meals and gift-giving.

Eid al-Adha –
On the Islamic calendar, this is conceivably the most significant holiday. It starts on the tenth of Dhu al-Hijjah and lasts until the thirteenth. The holiday honours Ibrahim’s (Abraham’s) readiness to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice when God commanded it. Family get-togethers, feasting, animal sacrifice for food, and gift-giving are all part of celebrations.

Islamic Calendar, Holidays, and Festivals: Interesting Facts

The Islamic calendar is the official calendar in several Muslim nations, such as Saudi Arabia.

It is not necessary for all Muslims to fast throughout Ramadan. Pregnant ladies, sick adults, and young children are exempt.

Muslims give the impoverished a charitable donation known as “Zakat” at the conclusion of Ramadan.

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims frequently read the entire Quran.

“Eid” is Arabic for “festival.” Sometimes, the word is spelt “Id.”