Hijri (Islamic Calendar)
The Islamic lunar calendar, which begins with the Prophet's migration to Medina.
The Hijri calendar (Arabic: التقويم الهجري) is the Islamic lunar calendar used to determine the dates of Islamic holidays, Ramadan, and other religious events. The calendar begins with the hijra — Prophet Muhammad's migration from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE.
The Hijri calendar has 12 months based on the moon's cycle: Muharram, Safar, Rabi' al-Awwal, Rabi' al-Thani, Jumada al-Ula, Jumada al-Thani, Rajab, Sha'ban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhu al-Qi'dah and Dhu al-Hijjah.
Each month has 29 or 30 days, and the Islamic year is approximately 354 days — 11 days shorter than the Gregorian solar year. Therefore, Islamic holidays and Ramadan "travel" through the Gregorian calendar year and fall at different times each year.
The current Hijri date is displayed on many Islamic websites and in mosques. In 2026, we are in the Hijri years 1447-1448.
Related terms
Salat al-Ghufaylah (Prayer Between Maghrib and Isha)
A specially recommended prayer prayed between Maghrib and Isha in Shia Islam.
Dhul-Hijjah (The Month of Pilgrimage)
The twelfth and last month of the Islamic calendar, in which Hajj and Eid al-Adha take place.
Salat al-Duha (Forenoon Prayer)
A voluntary prayer performed after sunrise and before noon, with great reward according to the narrations.
Khutbah (Sermon)
The Islamic sermon delivered before the Friday prayer and at the Eid prayers.
Madhhab (School of Law)
An Islamic school of law with its own methodology for legal derivation from the sacred sources.
Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah)
Remembrance and glorification of Allah through repetition of sacred phrases.