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The
Muslim Era began with the great event of the Hijrah of Prophet
Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions from
Makkah to Madinah. The adoption of this event as the beginning of
the Muslim Era took place in the Caliphate of `Umar ibn Al-Khattab,
the second Caliph.
The
Muslim calendar is lunar, and its months are determined by the
various positions of the moon. In every year there are twelve
months, and each month is either thirty or twenty-nine days
depending on the position of the moon. These months are:
1.
Muharram
2.
Safar
3.
Rabi` al-Awwal
4.
Rabi` ath-Thani
5.
Jumada al-Ula (also known as Jumada al-Awwal)
6.
Jumada al-Ukhra (also known as Jumada ath-Thani)
7.
Rajab
8.
Sha`ban
9.
Ramadan
10.
Shawwal
11.
Dhul-Qi`dah
12.
Dhul-Hijjah
Every
week has one special day to remember and observe. This is Friday,
and its significance stems from the Noon Congregational Prayers
which must be observed by every Muslim who can attend. There are
other significant occasions which should be remembered with a
special observance.
1-
Ramadan, the month of Fasting, in which the Qur’an was
revealed.
2-
The Night of Honor and Excellence of Qadr which may be
celebrated on the eve of twenty-third or the twenty-fifth or the
twenty-seventh of Ramadan.
3-
`Eid al-Fitr (Feast of Breaking the Fast of Ramadan) which
falls on the first day of Shawwal.
4-
`Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) which falls on the tenth
day of Dhul-Hijjash.
Excerpted,
with modifications from, Hammudah Abulati's Islam In Focus.
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