In the Holy Quran we read:
"They ask thee about new moons. Say, These are means for measuring time for people's affairs and for the pilgrimage"
(Holy Quran, ch,2v,190)
Islam has made use of both the lunar and solar system of measuring time. Where worship is to be performed in different part of the day the solor system of reckoning time is used as in the five daily prayers or for the beginning and breaking of the fast, and where worship is to be completed within particular month or part therof, the lunar system is used, as in the determination of the month or part therof, the lunar system is used, as in the determination of the month of fasting or fixing tge time of Hajj or Other Festivals.
To calculate conversions from one calendar year to the other the following formula is used:
G=H-((3*H)/100) + 622
H=G+((G-622)/32) - 622
Where G=Gregorian year (AD)
H=Hijra year (AH)
Thus 2011 AD is 1432 AH Islamic calendar consists of twelve lunar months. Each month may be of 29 or 30 days.
depending on the sighting of the new moon.
An lunar year has, on average,355 days. This is 10 days less than the solar year.
Hence an lslamic year is moved ahead 10 day each year in solar calendar year.
Following are the names of the Islamic months:
1. Muharram-Ul-Haram
2. Safar
3. Rabi-Ul-Awwal
4. Rabi-ul-Akhir
5. Jamadi-Ul-Awwal
6. Jamadi-Ul-Akhir
7. Rajab
8. Sha'aban
9. Ramadan
10. Shawwal
11. Dhul Qadah
12. Dhul Hijja
THE HOLY QURAN STATES;
"The number of months with Allah has been twelve months by Allah's
Ordinance since the day He created the heavens and the earth. Of these four are known as sacred" (Holy Quran,ch.,36) Muharram, Rajab, Dhul Qadah and Dhul Hijja are considered to be sacred months.Fighting during these sacred months is considered to be a sin.
