The Islamic Calendar

How can the Hijri Calendar be corrupt?

1. Names

The Hijri calendar today is lunar-based, as opposed to a solar-based calendar which contains 365 days, a lunar calendar contains 354-355 days. Some popular months include names such as Rabee’ Al-Awal and Rabee’ Al-Thani which in English translates to “The First Spring” and “The Second Spring.” However, since the calendar is lunar, the months rotate yearly. Spring is a time in which plants and flowers begin to spring forth and blossom, this is an idea which exists in all cultures.

Rabee’ Al-Awal had corresponded to the month of March in the Gregorian calendar in the year 2008, a suitable month and time for the name of a month called “The First Spring.” However, in 2015 Rabee’ Al-Awal was pushed back to December in the middle of winter. It is not possible or realistic that a month called “First Spring” would fluctuate outside of its season.

2. Fasting during the month of Ramadan

The month of Ramadan is a sacred month in which Muslims observe fasting from sunrise until sunset. But just like the rest of the months, they are not consistent year-round. In 1999, the month of Ramadan fell in December, a season of winter in which fasting is easier as the weather is cooler and the daylight hours are shorter. However, in 2014, the month of Ramadan started in June during the scorching unbearable heat and the long daylight hours, making fasting much more difficult. This inconsistency cannot come from an all-knowing merciful Lord.

3. How did this calendar originate?

As it turns out, it evolved from the calendar used in Ancient Arabia, which was originally a Solar-Lunar calendar, relying on the placement of the sun to track the seasons while using the new moon to signal the beginning of each month. Since the lunar year is shorter than the solar year, by approximately 11 days, an extra month was added every 3 years to correct this difference. A man from the tribe of Quraysh was in charge of this process. Having knowledge of both the Julian calendar, which was in use at the time, as well as the Arabic, he would make his calculations and then at the end of the year, during the pilgrimage when all the tribes were present, he would inform the people whether or not to add the extra month. The people would then return to their countries and cities and spread this information. However, after the passing of Prophet Muhammad (pbuhahf) the extra intercalary month was no longer added and the order and correct timings of the calendar became lost to time.

What is the Correct Order?

Imam Ahmad Al-Hassan (fhip) revealed the correct order of the Hijri months to be as follows: