Discover how the Hijri year began, why Muslims follow the Islamic calendar, and how Hijri dates remain deeply connected to life in Saudi Arabia.
The Hijri year is the year system used in the Islamic lunar calendar. It began from the Hijrah, the migration of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from Makkah to Madinah. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, the Hijri calendar follows the moon, so its months move through the seasons. In Saudi Arabia, the Hijri year remains important for Ramadan, Hajj, Eid, Islamic history, and many cultural traditions.
When you live in Saudi Arabia, you quickly notice that dates do not always follow only the international calendar. You hear people talk about Ramadan, Dhul Hijjah, Muharram, Eid, and the Hijri year. At first, this may feel confusing. However, once you understand the story behind the Hijri calendar, Saudi culture becomes much easier to understand.
The Hijri year is not just a date system. Instead, it is connected to Islamic history, worship, the moon, family life, and major events in Saudi Arabia. Because of this, learning the Hijri calendar helps Arabic learners understand both the language and the culture behind it.
In this guide, you will learn what the Hijri year means, how it started, why it is lunar, and why it still matters in Saudi Arabia today.
1. What Is the Hijri Year?
The Hijri year is the year used in the Islamic calendar, also called the Hijri calendar or Islamic lunar calendar. It is based on the phases of the moon, which means each month begins when the new crescent moon is sighted.
Unlike the Gregorian calendar, which follows the sun, the Hijri calendar follows the moon. As a result, a Hijri year is shorter than a Gregorian year. A Hijri year is about 354 days, while a Gregorian year is about 365 days.
The Hijri year is a lunar year. Therefore, Islamic months such as Ramadan and Dhul Hijjah move earlier each year compared with the Gregorian calendar.
2. Why Is It Called Hijri?
The word “Hijri” comes from the Arabic word الهجرة Al-Hijrah, which means migration. Specifically, it refers to the migration of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and the early Muslims from Makkah to Madinah.
This migration was not just a journey from one city to another. Rather, it marked a major turning point in Islamic history. After the Hijrah, the Muslim community became more organized in Madinah, and Islamic society began to grow.
| Arabic | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| السنة الهجرية | As-Sanah Al-Hijriyyah | The Hijri year |
| التقويم الهجري | At-Taqweem Al-Hijri | The Hijri calendar |
| الهجرة | Al-Hijrah | The migration |
| مكة | Makkah | Makkah |
| المدينة | Al-Madinah | Madinah |
3. When Did the Hijri Calendar Begin?
The Hijri calendar begins from the year of the Hijrah, when Prophet Muhammad ﷺ migrated from Makkah to Madinah. In the Gregorian calendar, this event corresponds to 622 CE.
However, the calendar was formally organized later during the time of Caliph Umar ibn Al-Khattab رضي الله عنه. Muslims needed a clear dating system for letters, records, and official matters. Therefore, the Hijrah was chosen as the starting point because it represented the beginning of a new stage for the Muslim community.
Why the Hijrah Was Chosen
4. Hijri Calendar vs Gregorian Calendar
Many learners confuse the Hijri calendar with the Gregorian calendar. Although both are used to count years, they work very differently. The Gregorian calendar follows the sun, while the Hijri calendar follows the moon.
| Hijri Calendar | Gregorian Calendar | Main Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Lunar calendar | Solar calendar | Hijri follows the moon; Gregorian follows the sun. |
| About 354 days | About 365 days | The Hijri year is shorter. |
| Months begin with moon sighting | Months are fixed | Hijri months shift through seasons. |
| Used for Islamic events | Used internationally | Saudi Arabia uses both in different contexts. |
5. The 12 Hijri Months
The Hijri year has twelve months. Each month begins with the new crescent moon. Moreover, several Hijri months are connected to major Islamic events, such as Ramadan, Hajj, and Eid.
6. Why Hijri Months Move Every Year
Because the Hijri year is shorter than the Gregorian year, Hijri months move earlier by around 10 or 11 days each Gregorian year. As a result, Ramadan, Hajj, and Eid do not stay in the same Gregorian season.
For example, Ramadan may happen in summer during one period and then slowly move into spring, winter, and autumn over the years. This movement is one of the most noticeable differences between the Hijri and Gregorian calendars.
The Moon Shapes the Calendar
The Hijri calendar follows the moon. Therefore, the crescent moon is especially important for announcing the beginning of months like Ramadan, Shawwal, and Dhul Hijjah.
7. Important Islamic Events in the Hijri Year
The Hijri year is deeply connected to Islamic worship. In Saudi Arabia, many of the most important religious and cultural moments are organized around Hijri months.
| Event | Hijri Timing | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Islamic New Year | 1 Muharram | Marks the beginning of a new Hijri year. |
| Ramadan | 9th month | The month of fasting, worship, family gatherings, and spiritual reflection. |
| Eid Al-Fitr | 1 Shawwal | Celebration after the end of Ramadan. |
| Hajj | Dhul Hijjah | The annual pilgrimage to Makkah. |
| Eid Al-Adha | 10 Dhul Hijjah | A major Islamic celebration during the days of Hajj. |
8. How Saudi Arabia Uses the Hijri Calendar
Saudi Arabia has a strong connection to the Hijri calendar because it is home to Makkah and Madinah, the two holiest cities in Islam. Therefore, Hijri dates are not only historical or religious; they are part of daily cultural awareness.
Today, people in Saudi Arabia commonly use the Gregorian calendar for many work, school, travel, and international purposes. However, the Hijri calendar remains essential for Islamic events, Ramadan, Hajj, Eid, and religious announcements.
- Ramadan is announced according to the Hijri calendar.
- Hajj takes place in the month of Dhul Hijjah.
- Eid Al-Fitr begins after Ramadan ends.
- Eid Al-Adha is connected to Hajj.
- Many religious lectures, reminders, and announcements use Hijri dates.
To understand Saudi Arabia well, you need more than vocabulary. You also need to understand the calendar, seasons of worship, family gatherings, and the cultural rhythm of the Hijri year.
9. Common Saudi and Arabic Words Related to the Hijri Year
If you are learning Saudi Arabic, these words will help you understand announcements, conversations, Islamic events, and everyday cultural references.
| Arabic | Transliteration | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| رأس السنة الهجرية | Ra’s As-Sanah Al-Hijriyyah | Islamic New Year |
| شهر هجري | Shahr Hijri | Hijri month |
| بداية الشهر | Bidayat Ash-Shahr | Beginning of the month |
| الهلال | Al-Hilal | The crescent moon |
| رؤية الهلال | Ru’yat Al-Hilal | Moon sighting |
| رمضان كريم | Ramadan Kareem | A common Ramadan greeting |
10. Why the Hijri Year Still Matters Today
The Hijri year still matters because it connects Muslims to their history, worship, and shared identity. It reminds people of the Hijrah, the early Muslim community, and the spiritual rhythm of the year.
In addition, the Hijri calendar gives Islamic events their proper place. Ramadan is not just “a month in spring” or “a month in summer.” Rather, it is the ninth month of the Hijri year. Hajj is not just a travel season; it belongs to Dhul Hijjah, a sacred time in the Islamic calendar.
Because of this, understanding the Hijri year helps learners understand Saudi conversations more naturally. You begin to understand why people talk about the moon, why some dates shift, and why certain months carry deep emotional and religious meaning.
How to Learn the Hijri Calendar Faster
- Start with the 12 months and memorize them in order.
- Connect each month to an event, such as Ramadan, Hajj, or Eid.
- Learn the Arabic names because Saudis often use them in speech and announcements.
- Notice moon-related words, especially الهلال and رؤية الهلال.
- Follow Saudi cultural content during Ramadan and Hajj to hear these words in context.
Ultimately, the Hijri year is more than a calendar. It is a way to understand Islamic time, Saudi culture, and the language people use during the most important moments of the year.
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