islamic calendar
C1Formal, Academic, Religious
Definition
Meaning
A lunar calendar of 354 or 355 days, used to determine the dates of religious events and observances in Islam.
The system for dividing the year into twelve months, beginning with Muharram and ending with Dhu al-Hijjah, used officially in many Muslim-majority countries and for religious purposes worldwide. It is also known as the Hijri calendar.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Refers specifically to the religious calendar. The term 'Hijri calendar' is a formal synonym. Dates are often cited with 'AH' (Anno Hegirae).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling of 'calendar' is consistent.
Connotations
Neutral and factual in both varieties.
Frequency
Similar frequency in relevant contexts (religious, historical, academic).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
the Islamic calendar of [year]according to the Islamic calendardate from the Islamic calendarVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “turn the page of the Islamic calendar”
- “in the year of the Hijrah”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used when referring to public holiday schedules or financial reporting in Muslim-majority regions.
Academic
Common in historical, religious studies, and anthropological texts.
Everyday
Used by Muslims to determine dates for fasting, festivals, and religious events.
Technical
Used in astronomy for lunar phase calculation and in historical chronology.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The Islamic-calendar date differs from the Gregorian one.
American English
- Islamic-calendar months are based on moon sightings.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Ramadan is a month in the Islamic calendar.
- The Islamic calendar has twelve lunar months.
- Eid al-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar.
- The discrepancy between the Islamic calendar and the solar year means that religious festivals occur approximately eleven days earlier each Gregorian year.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Islamic' starts with 'Is' and the calendar is based on the 'Is'-lamic lunar cycle, not the sun.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A JOURNEY (through the months of the Hijrah).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation as 'исламский календарь' without context; 'мусульманский календарь' or 'календарь Хиджры' is more precise.
- Do not confuse with the Persian 'Solar Hijri calendar' (Иранский календарь).
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'Isalmic calendar' or 'calender'.
- Incorrectly assuming it has 365 days.
- Using 'AH' dates without explanation for a general audience.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary astronomical basis for the Islamic calendar?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
An Islamic calendar year typically has 354 days, but it can have 355 days in a leap year.
The Hijra (Prophet Muhammad's migration from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE) marks the beginning of the Islamic era and community.
Not exactly far in advance, as the start of each month is traditionally based on the actual sighting of the new crescent moon.
Yes, it is the official calendar in several countries like Saudi Arabia, though many also use the Gregorian calendar for international business.