The Islamic calendar, known as the Hijri calendar (Arabic: التقويم الهجري, At-Taqwim Al-Hijri), is a purely lunar calendar consisting of 12 months in a year of 354 or 355 days. It is the official calendar of Islam and is used by Muslims worldwide to determine the dates of religious observances, including Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, the Day of Ashura, and the Islamic New Year.
Unlike the Gregorian solar calendar which tracks the Earth's orbit around the sun, the Islamic calendar is based on the phases of the moon. Each new month begins with the sighting of the crescent moon (hilal), making the Islamic calendar approximately 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar each year.
“They ask you about the new moons. Say: They are measurements of time for the people
and for Hajj.” - Quran 2:189
Beautiful, clean month view for the current Hijri month. The current date highlights automatically as time moves forward.
When disputes arose over the dating of official documents during Umar’s (RA) caliphate, he consulted the senior companions of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. Several significant events were proposed as the starting year the birth of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, the year of his first revelation, or his passing. It was Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA) who proposed the Hijra the Prophet’s migration from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE as the most fitting starting point, as it marked the establishment of the first Muslim community and Islamic state.
The Hijri calendar was officially established in 638 CE (17 AH) during the reign of the second Caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA). Before this, the Arabs used a lunar calendar but without a consistent starting point or standardised year numbering system. When disputes arose over the dating of official documents during Umar’s (RA) caliphate, he consulted the senior companions of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. Several significant events were proposed as the starting year the birth of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, the year of his first revelation, or his passing.
It was Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA) who proposed the Hijra the Prophet’s migration from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE as the most fitting starting point, as it marked the establishment of the first uslim
community and Islamic state. The use of a lunar calendar is deeply rooted in Quranic guidance. The moon is explicitly mentioned in the Quran as a means of measuring time. A lunar calendar ensures that the sacred months of Ramadan, Muharram, and Dhul Hijjah rotate across all seasons over a 33-year cycle, allowing Muslims in every part of the world to experience long summer fasts and short winter fasts in equal measure across generations
Below are the most important Islamic dates and events for the year 2026 / 1448 AH. All Gregorian dates are approximate and subject to moon sighting confirmation by local Islamic authorities.
Expected Date: Wednesday, 18 June 2026
The Islamic New Year marks the beginning of Muharram and the new Hijri year. It is a time of quiet reflection, du'a, and renewal of intentions not a day of festivity, but of spiritual renewal.
Expected Date: Friday, 27 June 2026
One of the most significant days in the Islamic calendar. Muslims fast on this day to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ and to expiate the sins of the previous year.
“Fasting on the Day of Ashura, I hope Allah will expiate thereby for the year that came before it.” - (Sahih Muslim 1,162)
Expected Date: Wednesday, 2 September 2026
The birthday of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Observed by many Muslims around the world with gatherings, recitations of the Prophet’s biography (Seerah), and expressions of love and gratitude.
Expected Date: Sunday, 15 February 2026
The Night Journey and Ascension of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from Makkah to Jerusalem and then through the heavens. A night of special prayers and reflection.
Expected Date: Monday, 2 March 2026
The Night of Forgiveness. Many Muslims spend this night in voluntary prayer, seeking forgiveness for their sins and making du'a for the deceased.
The Islamic calendar is called the Hijri calendar or At-Taqwim Al-Hijri (التقويم الهجري) in Arabic. It is a lunar calendar consisting of 12 months and is used by Muslims worldwide to determine the dates of religious observances including Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, the Day of Ashura, and the Islamic New Year.
The Islamic calendar has 12 lunar months: Muharram, Safar, Rabi al-Awwal, Rabi al-Thani, Jumada al-Awwal, Jumada al-Thani, Rajab, Sha’ban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhul Qa’dah, and Dhul Hijjah. Each month is either 29 or 30 days long, depending on the sighting of the crescent moon. A Hijri year totals 354 or 355 days.
Ramadan 2026 is expected to begin on Tuesday, 17 March 2026, corresponding to 1 Ramadan 1448 AH. The exact start date depends on the sighting of the crescent moon and may vary by one day depending on your location and the announcement of your local Islamic authority. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and the holiest month of fasting, prayer, and Quran recitation.
Eid al-Adha 2026 is expected to fall on Friday, 5 June 2026, corresponding to 10 Dhul Hijjah 1448 AH. Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, commemorates the obedience of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and coincides with the completion of the Hajj pilgrimage. Muslims perform Qurbani (animal sacrifice) and distribute meat to the poor, neighbours, and family.
The Hijri calendar is a purely lunar calendar of 354–355 days based on the moon’s phases, while the Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar of 365–366 days based on the Earth’s orbit around the sun. The Hijri calendar began in 622 CE with the Prophet’s migration, while the Gregorian calendar begins from year 1 CE. For Muslims, the Hijri calendar governs all acts of worship, while the Gregorian calendar is used for civil and professional life.
The year 2026 CE corresponds to 1,448 AH in the Islamic Hijri calendar. The abbreviation AH stands for Anno Hegirae, meaning ‘After Hijra’ counting years from the Prophet Muhammad’s صلى الله عليه وسلم migration from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE. Because the Hijri year is approximately 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year, two Hijri ears can overlap within a single Gregorian year
The four sacred months (Al-Ashhur al-Hurum) in Islam are: Muharram (1st month), Rajab (7th month), Dhul Qa’dah (11th month), and Dhul Hijjah (12th month). These months are mentioned in the Quran (9:36) and carry special sanctity — acts of worship carry greater reward in these months, and Muslims are especially encouraged to avoid sins and increase in good deeds.
Eid al-Fitr 2026 is expected to fall on Thursday, 16 April 2026, corresponding to 1 Shawwal 1448 AH. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and is celebrated with the Eid prayer, Zakat al-Fitr, and communal feasting. As with all Islamic dates, the exact date is subject to moon sighting confirmation.
Islamic dates shift earlier by approximately 11 days each year on the Gregorian calendar because the Islamic lunar calendar is about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian solar calendar. A lunar month is based on the moon’s cycle of approximately 29.5 days, while a solar month averages 30.4 days. Over a full cycle of 33 years, every Islamic aate will have fallen in every season summer, autumn, winter, and spring
