How to Read the Islamic Calendar
This calendar displays a full Islamic month and its corresponding Gregorian dates, making it easy to compare the two systems.
- 1. Monthly View: The header shows the name of the Islamic month (e.g., Ramadan) and the Hijri year, followed by "AH".
- 2. Navigation: Use the arrow buttons (< and >) to move to the next or previous Islamic month. The calendar will automatically update to show the full month.
- 3. Dual Dates: Each cell shows the Islamic day of the month prominently. The smaller number below it is the corresponding day from the Gregorian calendar (the one you use daily).
- 4. Current Day: The current date is highlighted with a distinct background for easy reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Islamic (Hijri) Calendar?
The Islamic calendar, or Hijri calendar, is a lunar calendar consisting of 12 months in a year of 354 or 355 days. It is used to date events in many Muslim countries and to determine the proper days of Islamic holidays and rituals, such as Ramadan and the Hajj.
Why does the start date of the month sometimes vary?
The start of each Islamic month traditionally depends on the physical sighting of the new moon. Because of this, the exact start and end dates of a month can differ by a day depending on your location and local authorities. This calculator uses a widely accepted algorithm to provide an accurate estimate, but it may differ by one day from local sightings.
What does "AH" stand for?
AH stands for "Anno Hegirae" in Latin, which means "in the year of the Hijra." It signifies that the calendar epoch begins with the year of the Prophet Muhammad's migration (Hijra) from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD.