The Islamic calendar, also known as the Hijri calendar, begins with the event of the Hijra, which is the migration of the Prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina. The first day of the Islamic calendar, 1st Muharram in the year 1 AH (Anno Hegirae, "in the year of the Hijra"), corresponds to 16 July 622 CE in the Julian calendar.

This event is significant because it marks the establishment of the first Muslim community (ummah) and the start of a new phase in Islamic history. The migration to Medina allowed Muslims to freely practice their religion, and it led to the eventual establishment of Islam as a powerful social, political, and religious force. The year of the Hijra was chosen as the starting point for the Islamic calendar because it represents a pivotal moment of change and hope for the early Muslim community.

Start of the Islamic Calendar

The Islamic calendar (Hijri calendar) begins on 1 Muharram, 1 AH (Anno Hegirae), which corresponds to July 16, 622 CE in the Gregorian calendar.

Historical Significance

This date doesn't mark the actual day of a specific event, but rather the beginning of the lunar year in which the Hijra (migration) occurred. The Hijra refers to Prophet Muhammad's migration from Mecca to Medina (then called Yathrib).

The actual migration took place in September 622 CE, but when Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab established the Islamic calendar around 638 CE, the beginning of the lunar year in which the Hijra occurred was chosen as the starting point.

Importance

The Hijra was chosen as the basis for the Islamic calendar because:

1. It represented a pivotal turning point in Islamic history
2. It marked the establishment of the first Islamic community and state in Medina
3. It symbolized the transition from persecution to the freedom to practice Islam
4. It signified the beginning of the Muslim community's (Ummah) independent identity

The Islamic calendar remains lunar-based (approximately 354 days per year), unlike the solar-based Gregorian calendar.

The Islamic calendar, also known as the Hijri calendar, begins with the year of the Hijra, which marks the migration of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from Mecca to Medina. Here are the details:

• Date: 1 Muharram 1 AH (After Hijra), which corresponds to July 16, 622 CE in the Gregorian calendar.

• Event: The Hijra, or migration, of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina. This event is significant because it marks the beginning of the Muslim community's establishment in Medina, where they could practice their faith freely and establish a new social order based on Islamic principles.

• Importance:

• Foundation of the Ummah: The migration led to the establishment of the first Islamic state in Medina, where Prophet Muhammad became not only a spiritual leader but also a political leader, laying down the foundations of Islamic governance.
• Calendar Significance: The Hijra was chosen as the starting point of the Islamic calendar by the second Caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab, around 638 CE, to provide a unified reference for dating events in Islamic history. Before this, various systems were used, including dating from the year of the Prophet's birth or other significant events.
• Symbol of Perseverance: The Hijra symbolizes the struggle and perseverance of Muslims in the face of persecution, as the Prophet and his followers left their homes and possessions behind to seek religious freedom.
• Community Building: It also represents the unity and brotherhood among Muslims, as the Prophet established the Constitution of Medina, which was one of the earliest constitutions in the world, outlining rights and responsibilities among different tribes and religions in Medina.

This event is not just a historical marker but also carries deep spiritual and communal significance in Islamic tradition, emphasizing themes of faith, migration for the sake of religion, and the establishment of a just society.

The Islamic calendar starts on 1 Muharram 1 AH (Anno Hegirae - "in the year of the Hijra"). This corresponds to July 16, 622 CE in the Julian calendar.

This date marks the Hijra, the migration of the Prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina. They left Mecca due to increasing persecution for their beliefs and sought refuge in Medina, where they were welcomed.

The Hijra is incredibly important in Islam for several reasons:

• Establishment of the first Muslim community: In Medina, Prophet Muhammad was able to establish the first Muslim community (Ummah) with a constitution outlining rights and responsibilities for Muslims, Jews, and other inhabitants. This laid the foundations for the spread of Islam.
• Turning point in Islamic history: The Hijra signifies a transition from a period of persecution to one of empowerment and growth for the early Muslims. It marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar, highlighting its significance in the Muslim world.
• Religious and political authority: The Hijra established Muhammad not only as a religious leader but also a political leader. He established laws and governance in Medina, shaping the early Islamic state.
• Symbol of perseverance and sacrifice: The Hijra represents the sacrifices made by early Muslims for their faith and their willingness to leave their homes for religious freedom. It serves as an inspiration to Muslims facing hardships.

It's important to note that while 1 Muharram marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar year, the actual Hijra didn't occur on the first day of Muharram. The Islamic calendar was established later, during the caliphate of Uthman ibn Affan, and the beginning of Muharram was chosen as the starting point of the calendar.

The Islamic calendar, also known as the Hijri calendar, begins on 1 Muharram 1 AH (After Hijra). This corresponds to July 16, 622 CE in the Gregorian calendar.

Why is this date significant?

The Islamic calendar starts from the Hijra (Migration) of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his followers from Mecca to Medina. This event marked a turning point in Islamic history because:

1. Establishment of the First Muslim Community – In Medina, Muslims were able to practice their faith freely and establish a society based on Islamic principles.
2. Political and Religious Independence – The migration allowed Islam to grow beyond persecution in Mecca, leading to the formation of the first Islamic state.
3. Divine Command – The Hijra was not just a physical journey but also a divinely ordained transition, symbolizing sacrifice and renewal.

Why was the calendar introduced later?

The Hijri calendar was formally established during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) in 638 CE (17 AH). The companions of the Prophet decided to use the Hijra as the starting point to mark the beginning of the Islamic era, as it was the most significant event in early Islam.

What happened on 1 Muharram 1 AH?

• The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had already arrived in Medina in Rabi’ al-Awwal (September 622 CE), but the calendar was set retroactively to begin from the first day of the lunar year (Muharram) when the decision to migrate was made.
• The day itself does not mark a specific historical event but serves as the symbolic start of the Islamic era.

Importance Today

• The Islamic calendar is lunar, consisting of 12 months (354/355 days).
• 1 Muharram is observed as Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year), though it is not a religious festival like Eid.
• Some Muslims reflect on the lessons of Hijra—sacrifice, faith, and community-building.

Would you like more details on how the calendar is calculated or its religious significance?

The Islamic calendar, also known as the Hijri calendar, begins with the year 1 AH (After Hijrah). The first day of the first month, Muharram, in the year 1 AH corresponds to July 16, 622 AD in the Gregorian calendar.

Significance of the Date:

The year 1 AH marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar and is significant because it commemorates the Hijrah, the migration of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions from Mecca to Medina. This event is pivotal in Islamic history for several reasons:

1. Establishment of the Islamic Community: The Hijrah marked the establishment of the first Islamic state in Medina, where the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his followers could practice their religion freely and organize a community based on Islamic principles.

2. Political and Social Organization: Medina became the center of Islamic political and social organization. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) established the first Islamic constitution, known as the Constitution of Medina, which outlined the rights and responsibilities of the various communities living in Medina, including Muslims, Jews, and other groups.

3. Military and Defensive Strategies: The migration to Medina allowed the Muslims to defend themselves against the hostile forces in Mecca and to build a strong and cohesive community that could resist persecution and promote the spread of Islam.

4. Religious and Spiritual Significance: The Hijrah symbolizes the struggle and sacrifice required to uphold religious beliefs and principles in the face of adversity. It is a reminder of the importance of perseverance, faith, and community in the Islamic tradition.

Importance:

The Hijrah is celebrated annually on the 12th day of Rabi' al-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar, and is known as Mawid an-Nabawi. This day commemorates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his migration to Medina. The Hijrah is also the basis for the Islamic calendar, which is a lunar calendar consisting of 12 months, each of 29 or 30 days, totaling 354 or 355 days in a year.

The Hijri calendar is used for religious purposes, such as determining the dates of Islamic holidays and the timing of prayers, and it is also used in many Muslim countries for civil purposes. The significance of the Hijrah lies in its role as a turning point in Islamic history, marking the beginning of a new era for the Muslim community.

The Islamic calendar, also known as the Hijri calendar, begins on 1 Muharram, 1 AH, which corresponds to July 16, 622 CE in the Julian calendar[6][7][8]. This date was established as the beginning of the Islamic era during the caliphate of Umar ibn Al Khattab, approximately 17 years after the actual Hijrah event[2][6].

Origin and Establishment

The Islamic calendar was officially established in 638 CE by Umar ibn Al Khattab, the second Caliph of Islam, who sought to create a consistent dating system for the Muslim community[6]. After consulting with his advisers, they agreed that the most appropriate reference point for the Islamic calendar should be the Hijrah (migration) of Prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina[6].

It's important to note that the first day of the Islamic calendar (1 Muharram, 1 AH) does not coincide with the actual day of the Hijrah itself. The migration occurred around the 8th day of Rabi al-Awwal, approximately 66 days into the first year of the Islamic calendar[2]. The calendar system simply continued the existing order of months that was already established, with Muharram as the first month[2].

Significance of the Date

The selection of the Hijrah as the starting point for the Islamic calendar holds profound religious and historical significance[6]. The Hijrah represents:

1. The migration of Prophet Muhammad and approximately 70 Muslims from Mecca to Medina to escape persecution[2][9]
2. The establishment of the first Muslim community (ummah) in Medina[9]
3. A crucial turning point that led to the foundation of the first Muslim city-state[6][9]

As one Islamic scholar noted, the calendar begins not with military victories, the Prophet's birth or death, or even the revelation of the Quran, but with a sacrifice for the truth and preservation of revelation[6]. This was a divinely inspired selection to remind Muslims that the struggle between truth and evil is eternal, emphasizing sacrifice rather than pomp and glory[6].

Calendar Structure

The Islamic calendar is a purely lunar calendar consisting of 12 months with either 29 or 30 days each[7]. The beginning of each month is traditionally determined by the first sighting of the crescent moon (hilal) after the new moon[1]. The calendar year is about 11 days shorter than the solar year, which is why Islamic dates shift earlier each year in relation to the Gregorian calendar[8].

Today, in May 2025, the current Islamic year is 1446 AH, which began on July 7, 2024, and will run until approximately June 26, 2025[1].