Hijri Islamic Calendar 2023: A Guide To The Important Dates, Festivals, And Events

As a Muslim, I have always been fascinated by the Hijri Islamic calendar. It is a lunar calendar that consists of 12 months, with each month lasting between 29 and 30 days. The start of each month is determined by the sighting of the new moon, making it different from the Gregorian calendar that is widely used in the world. In this article, I will share my personal experience with the Hijri Islamic calendar and provide you with a guide to the important dates, festivals, and events in 2023.

What is the Hijri Islamic Calendar?

The Hijri Islamic calendar is based on the Hijra, which is the migration of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from Makkah to Medina in 622 CE. The calendar has been in use since then and is widely used by Muslims around the world to determine the dates of Islamic festivals and events.

Important Dates in Hijri Islamic Calendar 2023

Here are the important dates in the Hijri Islamic calendar for the year 2023:

1st Muharram (Islamic New Year): 1st January 2023
Ashura: 10th Muharram (11th January 2023)
Milad-un-Nabi (Prophet Muhammad’s birthday): 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal (12th June 2023)
Lailat-ul-Miraj (Prophet Muhammad’s ascension): 27th Rajab (29th October 2023)
Lailat-ul-Qadr (Night of Power): 27th Ramadan (23rd May 2023)
Eid-ul-Fitr (End of Ramadan): 1st Shawwal (21st May 2023)
Eid-ul-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice): 10th Dhu al-Hijjah (19th November 2023)

World Events and Festivals in Hijri Islamic Calendar 2023

In addition to Islamic festivals and events, there are also world events and festivals that fall within the Hijri Islamic calendar. Here are some of them:

Chinese New Year: 1st day of the 1st lunar month (28th January 2023)
Holi: 2nd day of the 2nd lunar month (14th March 2023)
Diwali: 15th day of the 7th lunar month (6th November 2023)

Question & Answer

Q: What is the significance of Ashura?

A: Ashura is a day of mourning for Muslims as it commemorates the martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Imam Hussain (peace be upon him), in the Battle of Karbala. It is also a day of fasting for some Muslims.

Q: What is the significance of Lailat-ul-Qadr?

A: Lailat-ul-Qadr is considered the holiest night of the year for Muslims. It is believed to be the night when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Muslims spend the night in prayer and supplication, seeking forgiveness and blessings from Allah.

Q: What is the significance of Eid-ul-Adha?

A: Eid-ul-Adha is a festival that commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) to sacrifice his son Ismail (peace be upon him) as an act of obedience to Allah. It is also a time for Muslims to perform the Hajj (pilgrimage) to Makkah, if they are able to do so.

In conclusion, the Hijri Islamic calendar is an important aspect of Muslim life, and it is essential to keep track of the important dates and events in the calendar. By doing so, we can strengthen our faith and deepen our understanding of Islam.