Significance of Hijra Calendar

The Islamic calendar (Hijra calendar) is a purely lunar calendar. It contains 12 months that are based on the motion of the moon, and because 12 synodic months is only 12 x 29.53=354.36 days, the Islamic calendar is consistently shorter than a tropical year, and therefore it shifts with respect to the Christian calendar. The calendar is based on the Qur'an (Sura IX, 36-37) and its proper observance is a sacred duty for Muslims.

Unfortunately some Muslim astronomers have suggested that lunar date lines should be marked on the world map for the Muslims to begin their fasting and celebrating their Eid. This would be according to the first visibility of the crescent. The so-called curved lunar date lines always keep on changing and they pass through cities, towns and even houses! They do not abide the rules of the date line. So the Lunar date lines are impracticable and meaningless. They are neither scientific nor Islamic.

Hijra Calendar is the same astronomical Lunar Calendar and the month begins and ends on conjunction (Astronomical new moon), means conjunction is last day of the month. Some time it is on 29th day and some times 30th day. The calendar contains 12 months that are based on the Qur'an (Sura IX, 36-37). It is based on the motion of the Moon and its proper observance is a sacred duty for Muslims. Each phase of moon and its angular distance is indicate each Date as shown a natural calendar hung in the sky. Some times we cannot see the moon because of the changes in weather. but it does not make any difference in calendar dates because it is related to the motion of the moon. Not its physical visibility. The astronomical new moon time and date already computed exactly for thousands of years backward and forward.