Comprehensive Guide to the Hijri Calendar and Its Importance
History and Origin of the Hijri Calendar
The Hijri calendar, also known as the Islamic calendar, is a lunar calendar system that began in 622 AD, marking the first year of the Prophet Muhammad’s migration (Hijrah) from Mecca to Medina. The Hijri calendar is essential in Islam for determining religious events and rituals.
The Hijri calendar follows the lunar cycle — each lunar month lasts 29 or 30 days — making the Hijri year 354 or 355 days long, roughly 10–12 days shorter than the Gregorian year.
The Importance of the Hijri Calendar in Islamic Life
The Hijri calendar holds a central place in Islamic life; it is not merely a timekeeping system but an integral part of Islamic identity and worship practices.
The Hijri calendar is used to determine the start and end of Ramadan, calculate zakat, set the dates for Hajj and Umrah, and schedule Islamic holidays such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. It connects Muslims with their religious history and traditions.
Difference Between the Hijri and Gregorian Calendars
Below are the key characteristics of each calendar system:
Hijri Calendar:
- • Based on the lunar cycle
- • 12 lunar months
- • 354 or 355 days per year
- • Starts from the Hijrah (Prophet’s migration)
Gregorian Calendar:
- Based on the solar cycle
- 12 solar months
- 365 or 366 days per year
- Starts from the birth of Christ
Hijri Calendar and Prayer Times
The Hijri calendar plays an important role in calculating Islamic prayer times, especially in Saudi Arabia. In Riyadh, prayer times in Riyadh are computed using precise astronomical calculations that consider the geographic location and the Hijri date, ensuring accurate times for the five daily prayers.
How to Convert Between Hijri and Gregorian Dates
Converting dates between the Hijri and Gregorian calendars requires appropriate mathematical formulas or reliable conversion tools. The main difference is that the Hijri year is shorter than the Gregorian year, so Hijri dates gradually shift through Gregorian seasons.
Approximate conversion formula:
Gregorian year = Hijri year × 0.970229 + 621.5643
This is an approximate formula. For precise conversions, use specialized conversion tools or libraries.
Practical Applications of the Hijri Calendar
In the modern era, the Hijri calendar is used in many practical applications, particularly in Muslim-majority countries. In Saudi Arabia, for example, Hijri dates are used in official documents, academic calendars, and government transactions.
Islamic apps for smartphones also rely on the Hijri calendar to deliver services such as prayer time notifications, fasting schedules, and religious event reminders.