Hijrah 1444: The History, Essence, and Everything You Need to Know About the Islamic New Year

By Adeleye Kunle

Muslims all over the world have celebrated the arrival of the new Islamic year 1444, also known as the Hijri calendar in Islam.

According to the Islamic lunar calendar, the sighting of the new crescent moon heralds the start of a new year. Here are a few things to know about the Islamic new year:

What exactly is Hijri?

Hijri is an Arabic word derived from “hijra,” which represents the Prophet Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina more than 1,400 years ago as a result of fierce hostilities waged by idolatrors against Muslims.

The Hijri calendar in Islam, like the Gregorian calendar, has 12 months. Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar, while Dhul-Hijjah is the twelfth.

Because a Hijri month alternates between 29 and 30 days, the Hijri year is about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian, with one year lasting 354-355 days.

For Muslims, the Hijri calendar marks significant universal dates. One of these dates is the start of the fasting holy month of Ramadan; Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of 29 or 30 days of fasting; and the start of the Hajj pilgrimage and Eid al-Adha, also known as Eid-el-Kabir Sallah.

The migration of the Prophet and the conquest of Mecca:

Following his historic migration with Muslims to Medina in search of a more favorable environment in which to practice Islam, the Prophet returned to Mecca in 629 CE.

After the conquest of Mecca, the Prophet and Muslims returned to the city in an emotional homecoming.

This homecoming is known as The Conquest of Mecca (Arabic:, romanized: Fat Makkah) in Islam to this day.

The capture of Mecca by Muslims led by the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), in December 629 or January 630 AD (Julian), 10-20 Ramadan, 8 AH, is referred to as the Conquest of Mecca.

The conquest effectively ended the raging wars between Muslims and the Quraysh tribe.

The Quraysh were a grouping of powerful Arab clans that historically inhabited and controlled Mecca and the Kaaba, the Islamic holy house built by Prophet Ibrahim. Despite the fact that the Prophet was born into the Hashim clan of the Quraysh tribe, many Quraysh were vehemently opposed to Muhammad.

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar and, after Ramadan, the second holiest month.

History and importance:

In 622 CE, Prophet Muhammad and the Muslims migrated. Following the conquest of Mecca in 629 CE, the Prophet returned to the city. The new year will be known as 1444AH (Anno Hegirae or the year of the Hijra), indicating that 1,444 years have passed since the Prophet’s migration to Medina.

Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is regarded as a time for introspection and penance. The Islamic New Year gives Muslim believers a chance to be optimistic about the future while also reflecting on the good and bad things that have happened in the past.

The first ten days of Muharram are considered a sacred time of remembrance for Muslims because it marks the death anniversary of the Prophet’s grandson Hussein.

On the 10th of Muharram, Hussein was killed in the Battle of Karbala. Fasting, also known as Ashura, is encouraged for Muslims all over the world.

New Islamic Year Celebration:

There are no large celebrations on this important day for Muslims, but countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates declare a public holiday on the occasion.

Some countries, including Nigeria, recognize the significance of the day by declaring it a public holiday.

Meanwhile, Muslim Awareness International (MAI), a global peace campaign group and NGO based in Nigeria, organizes a yearly event called Aqsa Day on that holiday to enlighten and educate the public on the happenings in the Muslim worlds, as well as make presentations on the significance of Hijirah and the Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

Hijrah 1444: The History, Essence, and Everything You Need to Know About the Islamic New Year appeared first on Track News.