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
Raf' al-Yadayn (Raising the Hands)
The practice of raising the hands to the shoulders or ears at specific points in the prayer.
Fard (Obligatory)
The obligatory acts in Islam, including the five daily prayers.
Madhhab (School of Law)
An Islamic school of law with its own methodology for legal derivation from the sacred sources.
Salat al-Mayyit (Funeral Prayer)
The prayer for the deceased, performed before the burial.
Salat al-Tasbih (The Prayer of Glorification)
A special voluntary prayer with 300 tasbih recitations, recommended for forgiveness of sins.
Umrah (Lesser Pilgrimage)
The lesser pilgrimage to Mecca, which can be performed at any time of the year.