Hijri Calendar 2026: Islamic Events and Holidays

byAli Hajvery •
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Islamic Hijri Calendar 2026 – History, Moon Sighting, Important Events and Festivals Guide

Islamic Hijri Calendar: Complete Guide to Hijri Dates and Islamic Events

The Islamic Hijri Calendar serves as the backbone for religious, cultural, and social life in Muslim communities worldwide. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, which is solar-based, the Hijri calendar follows a lunar system, making it unique in its calculation of months and dates. For Muslims, understanding Hijri dates is essential to observe Islamic events, Islamic holidays, and festivals accurately. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the history, calculation, and significance of the Hijri calendar, as well as provide detailed insights into major Islamic events in 2026.

What is the Hijri Calendar?

The Hijri Calendar, also called the Islamic lunar calendar, is a system used primarily for religious purposes in Islam. It began in 622 CE, the year of the Prophet Muhammad’s (ﷺ) migration from Mecca to Medina, known as the Hijra. The calendar is based on the phases of the moon, which makes it approximately 10 to 12 days shorter than the solar-based Gregorian calendar.

  • 12 Lunar Months: The Islamic year consists of 12 months, each beginning with the sighting of the new moon.
  • Lunar Year Length: A Hijri year has 354 or 355 days, depending on moon sightings.
  • Religious Importance: It determines the dates for fasting in Ramadan, Hajj pilgrimage, Eid festivals, and other Islamic observances.

History and Origin of the Islamic Calendar

The Islamic calendar was formalized during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) in 638 CE. Muslims adopted the lunar calendar to standardize the timing of religious events across the growing Islamic empire. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, the Hijri calendar is not synchronized with the solar year, which is why Islamic months shift about 10 days earlier each year in the Gregorian system.

Important historical milestones include:

  1. The Hijra (622 CE): Migration of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) from Mecca to Medina, marking the beginning of the Islamic calendar.
  2. Formalization of the Calendar: Under Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab, the lunar system was adopted for civil and religious purposes.
  3. Use in Governance: Early Islamic states used Hijri dates for official records, taxation, and historical documentation.

How Hijri Dates are Calculated

The Islamic calendar relies on lunar cycles, where each month begins with the sighting of the crescent moon. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, which is calculated mathematically based on the Earth's orbit around the Sun, the Hijri calendar uses astronomical observations combined with traditional moon-sighting methods.

Lunar System and Moon Sighting

The lunar calendar consists of 12 months, each lasting 29 or 30 days, depending on the moon’s visibility. The process of moon sighting is crucial:

  • New Moon Detection: Islamic months begin with the observation of the new crescent moon, also called Hilal.
  • Variable Month Length: Months alternate between 29 and 30 days to align with lunar phases.
  • Regional Differences: Some countries rely on local moon sighting, while others accept global sightings. This can lead to slight differences in observed dates of Islamic events.
islamic-events-holidays
Islamic events 2026

The 12 months of the Hijri calendar are:

  1. Muharram: The first month, considered sacred and a time for reflection and fasting.
  2. Safar: A month with cultural significance, often associated with historical events in Islam.
  3. Rabi’ al-Awwal: Birth month of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
  4. Rabi’ al-Thani: Also called Rabi’ al-Akhir, a month for religious observances.
  5. Jumada al-Awwal: Early winter month with traditional historical significance.
  6. Jumada al-Thani: Mid-winter month.
  7. Rajab: A sacred month for extra prayers and reflection.
  8. Sha’ban: Preparatory month before Ramadan.
  9. Ramadan: The month of fasting and spiritual purification.
  10. Shawwal: Celebrated with Eid al-Fitr at its beginning.
  11. Dhu al-Qi’dah: Sacred month before Hajj.
  12. Dhu al-Hijjah: Month of Hajj and Eid al-Adha.

Important Islamic Events in the Hijri Calendar

Islamic events and holidays are determined entirely by the Hijri calendar. These events hold religious, cultural, and social significance for Muslims worldwide.

Major Festivals and Observances

Some of the key Islamic events and their Hijri dates include:

  • Islamic New Year (1 Muharram): Marks the start of the new Hijri year.
  • Ashura (10 Muharram): Observed by Sunni and Shia Muslims with fasting and commemorations.
  • Mawlid al-Nabi (12 Rabi’ al-Awwal): Birth of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), celebrated with prayers, sermons, and gatherings.
  • Start of Ramadan (1 Ramadan): Month of fasting from dawn to sunset.
  • Eid al-Fitr (1 Shawwal): Celebrated at the end of Ramadan, a festival of breaking the fast.
  • Hajj (8–12 Dhu al-Hijjah): Annual pilgrimage to Mecca.
  • Eid al-Adha (10 Dhu al-Hijjah): Festival of sacrifice following Hajj.

For Hijri dates 2026 and Islamic events 2026, Muslims can plan ahead using predictive lunar calendars while staying flexible for local moon sighting variations.

How to Use the Hijri Calendar in Daily Life

The Hijri calendar is integral to many aspects of Muslim life:

  • Religious Practices: Determining prayer times, Ramadan fasting, and Hajj pilgrimage dates.
  • Personal Planning: Scheduling weddings, religious classes, and community events around Hijri months.
  • Charity and Fasting: Planning Zakat, fasting on Ashura, and other optional days like the White Days (13–15 of each month).

Muslims often refer to both Gregorian and Hijri calendars to manage civil and religious duties. For example, schools in some Islamic countries display dual calendars for convenience.

Hijri Calendar vs Gregorian Calendar

Understanding the differences between the Hijri and Gregorian calendars helps clarify why Islamic holidays shift every year:

Feature Hijri Calendar Gregorian Calendar
Base Lunar (moon cycles) Solar (Earth's orbit)
Year Length 354–355 days 365–366 days
Months 12 lunar months 12 solar months
Holidays Shift Yes, earlier each Gregorian year (~10–12 days) Fixed dates
Use Religious observances, cultural events Civil, administrative, and commercial purposes

Tools and Apps for Tracking Hijri Dates

With technology, tracking Hijri dates has become easier. Muslims can rely on apps, websites, and printed calendars for accurate information:

  • Mobile Apps: Apps like Muslim Pro, IslamicFinder, and Hijri Calendar 2026 provide daily Hijri dates and event notifications.
  • Printable Calendars: Available from Islamic organizations for home or mosque use.
  • Web Tools: Websites like IslamicFinder.org allow users to convert Gregorian to Hijri dates and vice versa.

Many tools also provide optional settings for regional moon sighting differences, helping users adhere to local religious authorities’ announcements.

Conclusion and Summary

The Islamic Hijri Calendar is not just a timekeeping system—it is a spiritual guide for millions of Muslims worldwide. From determining Islamic festivals and religious holidays to planning personal and community events, understanding Hijri dates is crucial for daily life and religious practice.

By using modern tools and apps, Muslims can easily track Hijri dates 2026 and prepare for major Islamic events 2026 such as Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Hajj, and Eid al-Adha. Awareness of the lunar system, moon sighting traditions, and differences between Sunni and Shia observances ensures accurate participation in global Islamic practices.

In essence, the Hijri calendar bridges history, faith, and daily life, connecting Muslims with centuries of tradition while guiding them in contemporary living.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Hijri calendar is lunar-based, consisting of 12 months totaling 354–355 days.
  • Islamic events shift earlier each Gregorian year due to the lunar cycle.
  • Major events include Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Hajj, and Eid al-Adha.
  • Moon sighting can vary by region, affecting local observance dates.
  • Modern apps and printed calendars help track Hijri dates accurately.
Major Islamic Events – 2026
Event Name Gregorian Date Hijri Date Day
Isra and Mi‘raj 16 January 2026 27 Rajab 1447 AH Friday
Ramadan begins 18 February 2026 1 Ramadan 1447 AH Wednesday
Laylat al-Qadr 17 March 2026 27 Ramadan 1447 AH Tuesday
Eid al-Fitr 20 March 2026 1 Shawwal 1447 AH Friday
Day of Arafah 26 May 2026 9 Dhul-Hijjah 1447 AH Tuesday
Eid al-Adha 27 May 2026 10 Dhul-Hijjah 1447 AH Wednesday
Islamic New Year 1448 16 June 2026 1 Muharram 1448 AH Tuesday

Hijri Dates 2026 And Major Islamic Events

The table below shows the approximate Hijri dates for 2026 along with major Islamic events. Note: Actual dates may vary slightly depending on local moon sightings.

Gregorian Date Hijri Date Islamic Event
Feb 11, 20261 Muharram 1448Islamic New Year
Feb 20, 202610 Muharram 1448Ashura
Mar 11, 20261 Safar 1448Start of Safar
Apr 9, 20261 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1448Start of Rabi’ al-Awwal
Apr 20, 202612 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1448Mawlid al-Nabi ﷺ
May 9, 20261 Rabi’ al-Thani 1448Start of Rabi’ al-Thani
Jun 6, 20261 Jumada al-Awwal 1448Start of Jumada al-Awwal
Jul 5, 20261 Jumada al-Thani 1448Start of Jumada al-Thani
Aug 3, 20261 Rajab 1448Start of Rajab
Sep 1, 20261 Sha’ban 1448Start of Sha’ban
Sep 30, 20261 Ramadan 1448Start of Ramadan
Oct 29, 202630 Ramadan 1448End of Ramadan
Oct 30, 20261 Shawwal 1448Eid al-Fitr
Nov 28, 20261 Dhu al-Qi’dah 1448Start of Dhu al-Qi’dah
Dec 28, 20261 Dhu al-Hijjah 1448Start of Dhu al-Hijjah
Jan 6, 202710 Dhu al-Hijjah 1448Eid al-Adha
Jan 12, 202716 Dhu al-Hijjah 1448Hajj Completion
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