Marine Corps Base Quantico -- The Islamic calendar began with the emigration of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from Makkah (Mecca) to Madinah (Medina) in 622 AD and marked as After Hijrah (after migration) AH. Customarily, Islamic New Year begins with the first sighting of the new Moon crescent in the month of Muharram. There are 12 months in a year and each month consist of 29-30 days based on the cyclical path of the moon. As a result, the lunar calendar is approximately ten days or so shorter than the solar calendar. A new month is determined by the cycle of days and/or sighting of a new moon. A day in lunar calendar begins at sunset. All the Islamic rituals, celebration, festivals and events such as Fasting, Pilgrimage, etc., are observed according to the lunar calendar.

The names of the twelve months are: Muharram (Forbidden), Safar (Void), Rabi’ al-awwal (The First Spring), Rabi’ al-Thani (The Second Spring), Jumada al-Ula (The First Parched Land), Jumada ath-Thaniyah (The Second Parched Land), Rajab (Honor), Sha’ban (Scattered), Ramadan (Scorching), Shawwal (Raised), Dhu al-Qa’dah (The Truce) and Dhu al-Hijjah (The Pilgrimage).

“The number of months in the sight of God is twelve (in a year) — so ordained by Him the day He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are sacred: this is the ever-true law [of God]. But know that God is with those who restrain themselves” (Quran 9:36). The four sacred months are Muharram, Rajab, Dhul al-Q’adah, and Dhu al-Hijjah.The explicit mentioning of these four months emphases their sanctity making evil act more sinful and multiplying rewards of righteous deeds. Injustice during the Sacred Months is worse and graver than injustice in other months. Indeed, injustice is always wrong, but God makes it even graver than others as He will. The month of Ramadan or Fasting is admittedly the most sacred month in the year. The Holy Qur’an was revealed during the month of Ramadan and Dhu al-Hijjah is the month when Muslims go to pilgrimage in Makkah.

Oct. 14 was the beginning of Muharram 1, 1437 AH. May Almighty God make the Islamic New Year prosperous, peaceful, happy, and abundance for all. Happy Islamic New Year!