Islamic Calendar (Hijri Calendar) – Today's Islamic Date & Full 12-Month Calendar

What is Islamic Calendar?

Islamic Calendar, also known as the Hijri Calendar or Muslim Calendar is a lunar calendar used by more than 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide. It is based on this that the dates of all big events and religious festival in Islam are calculated, such as Ashura, Eid Al-Fitr, Eid Al-Adha, Hajj etc. Today’s Islamic date follows these links, and this page covers the whole Islamic calendar as well, so it’s all in one location.

The History and Background of the Origin of the Hijri Calendar

The Hijri Calendar was founded on the occasion of migration of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE also known as Hijrah. This migration brought about the first expression of the unity of Muslims, called as Ummah. Later, when Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab رضی اللہ عنہ came to power, this date became the day with which the Islamic era began. Rather than use “AD,” dates in the Hijri system are optionally marked “AH” meaning “Anno Hegirae” or “Year of the Hijrah.” Today’s Islamic year (hilal) is 1447.

How Can the Islamic Calendar Be Determined?

The Hijri Calendar is not solar, that is, based on the positions of the Sun, but based entirely on the lunar cycle — the phases of the Moon. The month starts with the crescent moon (Hilal) each start of a new month. The lunar month is 30 days, or 29 days, depending upon the visibility of the moon. In this way, the Islamic period is 354 days or 355 days, which is about 10 to 11 days shorter than Gregorian’s 365.242 days a year. Consequently, dates of other Islamic festivals, such as Ramadan, the feast of Eid and the pilgrimage of Hajj, move on average approximately 10 days earlier on the Gregorian calendar each year, covering the entire daily cycle of the hours and covering all four seasons every 33 years.

The 12 Months of the Islamic Calendar — Names and Significance

There are 12 months in a Hijri Calendar of which four are sacred. In the Quran Allah informs us: “There are twelve lunar months in the term of Allah.” (Surah At-Tawbah: 36)

The first month of the Islamic year is Muharram and one of the four sacred months. The 10th of Muharram is one of the most important days of fasting and reflection.

The second month is Safar whose name signifies “empty” because during this month Arab tribes used to migrate.

Rabi al-Awwal is one of the favorite months in the Islamic calendar since it is the month of the birth of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It is a time of great celebration where Muslims around the world repeat this occasion in a way that is respected and reverential.

The fourth month, after this is Rabi al-Thani, where it carries the same meaning as the preceding month.

The fifth month is Jumada al-Awwal, and the sixth is Jumada al-Thani, names given to these months in allusion to the cold season in Arabia.

Rajab is one of the four sacred months and is significant as the month when the miraculous night journey (Isra wal Miraj) occurred.

Shaban is regarded as a spiritually blessed month before Ramadan. Shab e Baraat is held in this month, which is an occasion to do more worship and ask forgiveness.

The holiest month of the Islamic year is Ramadan. For every adult Muslim, fasting is one of the obligations during the total month. The Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr) falls within the last 10 nights of Ramadan and is described in the Quran as better than a thousand months.

Shawwal is the month of celebration, which starts with Eid al-Fitr, the festival marking the end of Ramadan. Fasting for 6 days in Shawwal after Eid has immense spiritual benefits.

Another holy month is Dhul Qa’dah which is the time period leading up to Hajj.

One of the most important months of the Islamic year is Dhul Hijjah and it is the last of the year. It includes the Hajj pilgrimage, Eid al-Adha and the Day of Arafah. The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are regarded as one of the most blessed periods of the whole year in Islam.

The Appearance of the Crescent Moon and the Beginning of Each Month

One of the most distinctive features of the Islamic Calendar is that the beginning of every month is marked with the actual sighting of the crescent moon. That is why there can be a day’s difference between different countries regarding the dates of Ramadan and Eid. Although the Umm al-Qura Calendar determines dates in advance using astronomy, moon sighting is still preferred for Ramadan, Shawwal, and Dhul Hijjah. This practice connects Muslims to a deeply rooted tradition of observing nature and the skies.

The Four Sacred Months in Islam

The four sacred months mentioned in the Quran are Muharram, Rajab, Dhul Qa’dah and Dhul Hijjah. These months are very special in terms of religion. Sins committed during these months carry greater weight and acts of worship and good deeds earn multiplied rewards. Islamic scholars emphasize increasing voluntary prayers, fasting, charity and repentance during these times. During these months in pre-Islamic Arabia, warfare was also forbidden as they were regarded as times of peace.

The Islamic Day Begins at Sunset

What many people do not realize is that according to the Islamic timekeeping system, the day starts at Maghrib — sunset — and not at midnight like the Gregorian system. This means that “Thursday night” is actually Friday in Islamic terms. This is the reason significant nights like Laylat al-Qadr, Shab e Baraat, and the eve of Eid begin at Maghrib of the preceding Gregorian evening. Being aware of this is essential in order to correctly time acts of worship and special Islamic observances.

What is the Difference Between the Hijri Calendar and the Gregorian Calendar?

The fundamental difference between the two calendars is that the Hijri Calendar is purely lunar and the Gregorian Calendar is solar. The Islamic year is approximately 10 to 11 days shorter than the Gregorian, and this results in Islamic dates gradually moving backward through the Gregorian calendar over time. In most Muslim-majority countries both systems are used side by side — the Gregorian calendar for civil and administrative purposes and the Hijri Calendar for religious affairs, worship and Islamic jurisprudence.

Why Every Muslim Should Know the Islamic Calendar

The Hijri Calendar is not just a method for determining dates — it is the rhythm of Muslim life. It determines the times for the five daily prayers, the start and end of Ramadan fasting, the dates of both Eids, the Hajj season, Zakat calculations, recommended fasts like Ashura and the white days, and all other sacred nights and seasons. A Muslim who knows the Islamic Calendar is better equipped to plan their worship, fulfill religious obligations on time, and stay connected with the global Muslim community.

Check Today’s Islamic Date

Check today’s Islamic date using the interactive Hijri Calendar above. The current Hijri date is shown in real time and a complete 12-month calendar view is also available. You can also switch to Arabic display and use it to convert any Gregorian date to its corresponding Islamic date — making it the most convenient Islamic date checker available online.