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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.
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