anno Hegirae
Quick Summary
The Anno Hegirae (AH), or the Islamic calendar, is a dating system used for religious purposes in the Islamic world. It is a lunar calendar with 12 months, each beginning around the new moon. The months alternate between 30 and 29 days, with the 12th month varying to keep the calendar aligned with lunar phases. This results in a year of either 354 or 355 days, causing the months to cycle through the seasons over approximately 32.5 years.12
The Islamic era begins with the Hijrah, the migration of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE to escape persecution. This event established the Muslim community as a sociopolitical entity. The second caliph, Umar I, introduced the Hijrah era (AH) in 639 CE, with the first year commencing on July 16, 622 CE.134
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…done in ah 17 (anno Hegirae, “in the year of the Hijrah”).
Read More…done in ah 17 (anno Hegirae, “in the year of the Hijrah”).
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calendarThe Muslim calendar…era is computed from the starting point of the year of the emigration (Hijrah [Hegira]); that is, from the year in which Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam, emigrated from Mecca to Medina, 622 ce. The second caliph, ʿUmar I, who reigned 634–644, set the first day of the month Muḥarram…
Read More…era is computed from the starting point of the year of the emigration (Hijrah [Hegira]); that is, from the year in which Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam, emigrated from Mecca to Medina, 622 ce. The second caliph, ʿUmar I, who reigned 634–644, set the first day of the month Muḥarram…
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