In
the Holy Quran we read:
"They
ask thee about the new moons. Say, These are means for measuring time
for people's affairs and for the Pilgrimage" (Holy Quran, Ch. 2
V. 190)
Islam
has made use of both the lunar and solar system of measuring times.
Where worship is to be performed in different parts of the day the solar
system of reckoning time is used as in the five daily Prayers or for the
beginning and breaking of the fast, and where worship is to be completed
within a particular month or part thereof, the lunar system is used, as
in the determination of the month or part thereof, the lunar system is
used, as in the determination of the month of fasting or fixing the time
of Hajj or other festivals.
To
calculate conversions from one calendar year to the other the following
formula is used:
G
= H - ( (3 * H) / 100 ) + 622
H
= G + ( ( G - 622) / 32 ) - 622
Where
G = Gregorian year (AD)
H
= Hijra year (AH)
Thus
2000 AD is 1421 AH
Islamic
calendar consists of twelve lunar months. Each month may be of 29 or 30
days depending on the sighting of the new moon.
An
lunar year has, on average, 355 days. This is 10 days less than the
solar year. Hence an Islamic year is moved ahead 10 days each year in
solar calendar year.
Following
are the names of the Islamic months:
1.
Muharram ul Haram
2.
Safar
3.
Rabi-ul-Awwal
4.
Rab-ul-Akhir
5.
Jamadi-ul-Awwal
6.
Jamadi-ul-Akhir
7.
Rajab
8.
Sha'aban
9.
Ramadhan
10.
Shawwal
11.
Dhul Qadah
12.
Dhul Hijja
The
Holy Quran states:
"The
number of months with Allah has been twelve months by Allah's ordinance
since the day He created the heavens and the earth. Of these four are
known as sacred" (Holy Quran, ch., v 36)Muharram, Rajab,
Dhul Qadah and Dhul Hijja are considered to be sacred months. Fighting
during these sacred months is considered to be a sin.
