Muslims throughout the world follow a calendar which is purely lunar in nature. The lunar year consists of 354 or 355 days. The year is divided into 12 months and the names of the months are Muharrum, Safar, Rabiu'l awwal, Sani, Jumadu'l awwal, Jumadus' Sani, Rajab, Shaban, Ramadaan, Shawwal, Zu'lqada and Zulhijja. The beginning of the year is on 1st Muharrum when the moon is sighted in the western horizon after the new moon day.
It corresponds to Dwiteeya or Triteeya of the Sukla paksha of a month. Some of the major Muslim festivals are : the 10th day of Muharrum, Id-e-milad or Bara wafat on the 12th day of Rabiu'l awwal, Ramadan, Idu'l Fitr on the 1st of Shawwal and Idu'z zuha on the 10th day of Zulhijja. Id-e-milad is a happy occasion when Muslims greet each other with good wishes and offer special prayers in Masjids.
Click here to see the Muslim festivals and dates
The Muslim calendar does not have an Adhika Maasa. Hence the muslim year will start earlier when compared to the solar year. The festivals will also be shifting backwards. That's why Muharram or Ramadan can occur at any time of the year.
Back