"They ask thee about the new moons. Say, These are means for measuring time for people's affairs and for the pilgrimage" (2:190).

So why does Islam insist on keeping to the lunar calendar, also known as the Hijri calendar, marking the migration of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from Mecca to Medina?

Islam has no problem in following a solar calendar for those activities that are not strictly religious, such as timing and planning for agricultural activities. However, when it comes to activities such as fasting and hajj (pilgrimage), God, with his wisdom and mercy instructs Muslims to follow the lunar calendar.

With the solar Gregorian calendar, events such as Christmas always fall in a fixed season of the year – when it is summer in the Southern Hemisphere and when it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere. If Ramadan were to be fixed on a particular date in the solar calendar, for example December 8th, it would mean that Muslims living in Australia will always be fasting in hot and humid conditions while Muslims in America will always be fasting in cool and dry conditions. It would also mean that Muslims in certain parts of the world would always be fasting 17 hours a day while it would only be 8 hours for Muslims in other parts.

A lunar year has, on average 355 days. This is ten days less than the solar year. Hence an Islamic year is moved ahead 10 days each solar year. For example, in 2003 Ramadan began on the 27th of October, next year Ramadan should, by the will of Allah, begin on the 16th or 17th of October and so on. This “travelling” of the lunar calendar through the solar one, means that Ramadan will fall in different seasons for Muslims all around the world.

When the lunar calendar is observed it ensures that Muslims fasting in Ramadan when it is relatively difficult to do so, will in time, move to a season when fasting becomes easier. And so there is a gradual alternation between times of hardships and relief when it comes to religious obligations. In fact, almost all Muslims who observe Ramadan for 33 years would have fasted the same amount of daylight, no matter where they live in the world.

So why does Islam insist on the lunar calendar? It has nothing to do with Islam being outdated or archaic; it is simply another sign of God’s justice, mercy and wisdom. For God says in the Holy Quran:

“…This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion...” (Holy Quran 5:3)

Complied by Bahije Mawas

Reference: The Train the Trainers Course in Da’wah and Dialogue (2001) , Trust Education Australia, Sydney.