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Why was it named the "Hijri Year"?
The "Hijri Year" refers to the migration or Hijrah of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. from Mecca to Madinah.
Who is the creator of the "Hijri" calendar?
Khalifah Umar ibn Al-Khattab r.a., is considered to be the creator of the "Hijri" calendar.
The 12 months in the "Hijri" calendar
The "Hijri" calendar consists of 12 months. As Allah s.w.t. says in the Quran in Surah At-Taubah, verse 36:
“Verily the number of months with Allah is twelve months in the Book of Allah, (since) the day He created the heavens and the earth, four of them are sacred. That is the established religion. So be you not unjust unto your selves during them. And fight polytheists totally even as they fight you totally, and know that Allah is with the pious ones.”
Each "Hijri" month starts at the beginning of the new moon cycle. The number of days in each "Hijri" calendar month varies according to the moon’s progress around the earth. The length of each month is 29 to 30 days, except for the month of Zul Hijjah.
The number of days in the month of Zul Hijjah varies based on a 30-year cycle, meaning that the "Hijri" calendar fluctuates according to the moon’s long-term movements around the earth.
The meanings of Hijri month names
- Muharram: Muharram means forbidden. Fighting is forbidden during this month.
- Safar: Safar means zero. Arabs used to loot the houses of their enemies after defeating them in battle, leaving nothing behind.
- Rabiul Awwal and Rabiul Akhir: These are the months of Spring. It is also a period when those victorious in war could enjoy their new possessions, seized in the previous month of Safar.
- Jumadil Ula and Jumadil Akhir: These are the winter season. These two months were named because of water freezing.
- Rajab: Means respect and honor.
- Sya’ban: Sya’ban follows a month of abstinence from violence during the previous month of Rajab.
- Ramadhan: Named for the high temperatures caused by the summer sun.
- Syawwal: Due to being the seasonal birthing season for camels, which would normally raise their tails in this season.
- Zul Qai'dah: Named after the Arabic word for ‘sitting’, Zul Qai'dah is a holy month where Muslims must ‘sit out’ or abstain from war (although it is permissible to defend yourself if attacked).
- Zul Hijjah: The month of Hajj
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