Introduction:
Islamic calendar 2018 or the Hijra calendar, is a religious time system that has found root in the history and religion of Islam. An Islamic calendar in contrast to the Gregorian calendar, a calendar based on the sun cycle, is a lunar calendar consisting of 12 months, determined by the new moon. The Islamic calendar is a religious guide that helps Muslims all over the world to know dates of the religious months and festivals, including Ramadan, Muharram, Rabi al-Awwal, Eid al-Fitr 2018, 622 CE, and Eid al-Adha. All the dates have religious meanings and relate Muslims to their calendar, faith, and daily prayers.
This article is going to discuss the meaning, structure, and significance of the Islamic calendar in 2018, along with significant events and the difference between the Gregorian calendar and the Islamic calendar. Inendar, a god, and its existential religious relevance in the modern world.
What Is the Islamic Calendar?
Qur’anic al-Fitr,Basis
In the Quran, Allah says:
Yes, there are twelve faith months in the book of Allah, of 2 the month Allah created the heavens and the earth…
- This verse confirms that the Islamic Gregorian months are in a calendar initiated by God and are not exactly a year; thus, they are sacred.
- The Islamic Calendar.
- The Islamic calendar, IsWaSallam, is made up of 12 months, each 622 CE, marked with the new moon.
Structure of the Islamic Calendar
| Hijri Month | Approximate Gregorian Month (2018) | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Muharram | September 2017 | Islamic New Year, a sacred month |
| 2. Safar | October 2017 | Month of trials & reflection |
| 3. Rabi’ al-Awwal | November 2017 | Birth of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ |
| 4. Rabi’ al-Thani | December 2017 | Month of learning & faith |
| 5. Jumada al-Awwal | January 2018 | Month of patience & strength |
| 6. Jumada al-Thani | February 2018 | Continued reflection & deeds |
| 7. Rajab | March 2018 | Month of Divine Mercy |
| 8. Sha’ban | April 2018 | Preparation for Ramadan |
| 9. Ramadan | May–June 2018 | Month of fasting & revelation |
| 10. Shawwal | June–July 2018 | Eid al-Fitr celebration |
| 11. Dhul-Qa’dah | July–August 2018 | Month of peace & rest |
| 12. Dhul-Hijjah | August–September 2018 | Hajj & Eid al-Adha |
Major Islamic Events in 2018 (Hijri 1439–1440)
| Event | Approx. Gregorian Date (2018) | Hijri Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Islamic New Year | 21 September 2017 | 1 Muharram 1439 | Beginning of Hijri year |
| Lailat al-Miraj | 13 April 2018 | 27 Rajab 1439 | Night Journey of Prophet ﷺ |
| Lailat al-Bara’ah | 30 April 2018 | 15 Sha’ban 1439 | Night of forgiveness |
| Ramadan Begins | 17 May 2018 | 1 Ramadan 1439 | The month of fasting begins |
| Lailat al-Qadr | 10 June 2018 | 27 Ramadan 1439 | Night of Power |
| Eid al-Fitr | 15 June 2018 | 1 Shawwal 1439 | End of Ramadan |
| Hajj Season Begins | 19 August 2018 | 8 Dhul-Hijjah 1439 | Start of pilgrimage |
| Day of Arafah | 20 August 2018 | 9 Dhul-Hijjah 1439 | Greatest day of Hajj |
| Eid al-Adha | 21 August 2018 | 10 Dhul-Hijjah 1439 | Festival of Sacrifice |
| Islamic New Year (1440 AH) | 11 September 2018 | 1 Muharram 1440 | The new Hijri year begins |
| Milad un-Nabi (Mawlid) | 20 November 2018 | 12 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1440 | Birth of the Prophet ﷺ |
Why is the Islamic calendar not exactly Gregorian? Because of this difference?
The Gregorian calendar is solar-based, relying upon the rotation of the Earth around the Sun, whereas the Islamic calendar is lunar-based, relying upon the phases of the moon.
| Aspect | Islamic (Hijri) Calendar | Gregorian Calendar |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Lunar | Solar |
| Year Length | ~354 days | ~365 days |
| Months | 12 (29–30 days each) | 12 (30–31 days each) |
| Start of Day | Sunset | Midnight |
| Starting Point | Hijrah (622 CE) | Birth of Jesus (approx.) |
| Used For | Religious purposes | Civil, global purposes |
The Islamic dates go back by around 10-11 days every Gregorian year due to the year being shorter. That is why Ramadan or Eid is in the solar year; every year, it is thus earlier, and it is (WaSallam) observed earlier.
Spiritual Reckonings of the Islamic Calendar.
Every Islamic month has its virtues, blessings, virtues, and lessons. Let’s explore them—they:
Muharram—The Month of Allah
The Hijra year 1 month (10=Ashura) is a monthThe Prophett(Salla
The Prophet (Sallain Allah Llahu Alayhi WaS, “The”) said, “The best fasting during the month after Ramadan is the month of Muharram.” (Musli—Month
Safar—Month of Reflection
- An occasion to think about patience and trust in Allah (Salla) and eliminate false superstitions.
- Month of the Pr{Salla{SillaWaSallam) Llahu Alayhi WaSallam}
- The commemoration of the birth of the Prophet (Salla Muhammad {Salla—Month Llahu Alayhi WaSallam}) and the reminder of his teachings and mercy to the Monthvers.
Rajab—Month of Divine Mercy
A holy month in which acts—Ramadan—increase.
Sha’ban – Ramadan charity and preparations.
The Prophet Allahet {Silla—Month Llahu Alayhi WaSallam}, the Islamic, would fast quite often during {of Sha’ban. (Bukhari 1969)
Ramadan – Mon—fasting,th of Resurrection
The month through which the Quran was revealed was Hajj, the most blessed.—Month: There is a great reward in fasting, charity (Zakat), and night prayers.
Shawwal—fasting and feasting.
This month is Eid al-Fitr and s—Ramadanix recommended fasts.
Dhul-Hijjah – Mon—through the Hajj
- It includes two of the most significant days of Islam, the Day of Arafah and(Salla Eid al-Adha.
- Significance of the Islamic calendar in our everyday life (WaSallam).
Worships of —MonthMarks – fasthe Qurantin—thatg, Hajj, zaktable 4atits dates.
- Empowcharity erases Muslim identity through busy work, establishing the linkage of the believers to the hijr—Monthah.
- Unites the Muslims – all Muslims across the globe share the same lunar system.
- Recall the Islamic order of God—that time itself was a creation of Allah.
- They ask you about the new moons. Say, time is measured for them and for Hajj. (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:189)
Islamic Calendar 2018: Monthly Overview
The following is a month-by-month overview of 2018 (Hijra 1439—fasting,-1440):
| Month | Important Dates & Events (2018) |
|---|---|
| Muharram | 1st Muharram (21 Sep 2017) – Islamic New Year |
| Safar | Reflection & repentance month |
| Rabi’ al-Awwal | 12th Rabi’ al-Awwal – Mawlid an-Nabi (20 Nov 2018) |
| Rabi’ al-Thani | Continued remembrance of Prophet ﷺ |
| Jumada al-Awwal | Month of patience |
| Jumada al-Thani | Month of spiritual renewal |
| Rajab | 27th Rajab – Lailat al-Miraj (13 Apr 2018) |
| Sha’ban | 15th Sha’ban – Lailat al-Bara’ah (30 Apr 2018) |
| Ramadan | 1st Ramadan (17 May 2018) |
| Shawwal | 1st Shawwal – Eid al-Fitr (15 Jun 2018) |
| Dhul-Qa’dah | Hajj preparation month |
| Dhul-Hijjah | 10th Dhul-Hijjah – Eid al-Adha (21 Aug 2018) |
Islamic Calendar Practical Uses in the 21st Century.
- The Hijri calendar is important even today:
- It is used in mosques and Islamic centers to keep track of religious events.
- Computations of Zakat are made using lunar years.
- Islamic schools learn it to maintain tradition.
- It is still used by governments in Muslim countries (such as Saudi Arabia) on an official basis.
Real Hadith on Time and the Calendar.
- On respecting sacred months:
- Time has gone baHajj, andck to their primeval nature as it was when Allah put the heavens and the earth in place. There are twelve months in the year, of which four are holy… (Bukhari 4662)
- On valuing time:ghb and Dhul-Hijjah. In these months, no war or injustice is allowed.
What was the time of introduction of the Islamic calendar?
It was inaugurated by Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) in 638 CE, as of the year of table 5—the year of the Prophet (Hijrah).
Is it easy to convert Islamic dates to Gregorian?
Yes, Hijra, or all Hijri-Gregorian date-counting converters or apps that run according to the moon phases.
Then, why is the Islamic calendar relevant to Muslims today?
It assists in calculating Ramadan, Hajj, Eid, and Zakat, and maintains Islamic identity between countries.
Are the moon sightings all the same among Muslims?
Not always. They are world moon sighters and local (regional) moons. These two approaches are supported by scholarly research.
So how can we educate children about the Isare Muharram?
Connecting Islamic narratives, coloring sheets, and applications to months such as Ramadan and Eid, and making them interesting and memorable.
What is the power of the Islamic calendar?
It continuously links believers to worship, history, and divine time, and keeps in mind that each moment is Allah’s.
Conclusion
The Islamic Calendar 2018 is much more than any date-counting system, but it is a sort of spiritual system that helps Muslims live, worship, and identify themselves. It is based on the lunar cycles that Allah created, reminding those who believe in them to follow the pattern of faith, patience, and thankfulness.
Knowing and observing the Hijra months, Muslims make their everyday life more consistent with the order of the divine world, giving more significant meaning to such saintly holidays as Ramadan, Eid, and Hajj.
May Allah bless and keep on honoring this calendar as a sign of time and also a sign of the mercy of Allah, the legacy of the Prophet, and our identity among the ummah all over the world.
He is he who caused the sun to become a radiant light and the moon a shadow of a radiant light and fixed unto it phases, that you may know the number of years and reckoning of time.
(Surah Yunus 10:
Zeeshan khan completed a diploma in Software Engineering and have good knowledge of programming languages. I also have 3 years of experience in content writing and blogging