Islamic Calendar 2026 (Hijri Calendar)
What Is the Islamic Calendar?
The Islamic calendar, also called the Hijri calendar, is a lunar system of timekeeping used by Muslims worldwide. It tracks months according to cycles of the moon, not the sun. Each Hijri month begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon and lasts 29 or 30 days.
An Islamic year has 354 days — roughly 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year. This is why Islamic months shift earlier on the Gregorian calendar every year. Ramadan in 2026 was in February. By 2030, it will fall in the middle of winter. By 2031, it will be in January.
Islamic Calendar vs Gregorian Calendar
The two calendars follow different natural cycles.
- The Islamic calendar follows the moon. Each month is 29 or 30 days.
- The Gregorian calendar follows the sun. Months have fixed lengths.
- Islamic months drift earlier by about 11 days each Gregorian year.
- A complete cycle takes approximately 33 Gregorian years.
This drift is why Ramadan, Eid and Hajj move through all four seasons over time. In 2026, Ramadan fell in February and March. By 2036, it will fall in November and December.
Moon Sighting and Date Differences
Hijri dates can differ by one day between countries. This happens because some regions wait for a local crescent moon sighting while others follow pre-calculated calendars like the Umm al-Qura calendar used in Saudi Arabia.
In Pakistan, the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee announces official moon sighting decisions for Ramadan, Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha. These decisions can sometimes differ from Saudi Arabia by one day. The dates on this page are approximate. Always follow official local announcements for Pakistan.
What Are the Four Sacred Months in Islam?
Four months in the Islamic calendar are designated as sacred (Ashhur al-Hurum). These are Muharram, Rajab, Dhul Qadah and Dhul Hijjah. Fighting was prohibited in these months in pre-Islamic Arabia, and Islam continued to honour them as months of increased worship and restraint.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is today’s Islamic date?
Today’s Islamic date is shown in the calendar widget at the top of this page. It updates automatically every day. You can also adjust it by plus or minus 1 or 2 days using the adjustment selector if your local moon sighting differs.
Which Hijri year are we in right now?
We are currently in 1448 AH. The Islamic New Year 1448 began on 16 June 2026. We are in the month of Muharram 1448. The next Hijri year, 1449 AH, begins approximately in June 2027.
When is Ramadan 2027?
Ramadan 1448 AH is expected to begin approximately on 7 February 2027. This is subject to moon sighting. Eid ul Fitr 2027 is expected around 9 March 2027. These dates may shift by one day based on official moon sighting announcements.
When is Eid ul Adha 2027?
Eid ul Adha 1448 AH is expected around 16 May 2027. The Day of Arafah is expected on 15 May 2027. These are approximate dates based on standard Hijri calendar calculations and may differ by one day based on moon sighting.
When is Mawlid al-Nabi 2026?
Mawlid al-Nabi 1448 AH falls on 26 August 2026, corresponding to 12 Rabi al-Awwal 1448. It begins on the evening of 25 August 2026. This is the only major Islamic event remaining in the 2026 calendar after Ashura.
How many days are in the Islamic year?
The Islamic year has 354 days, divided into 12 lunar months. Each month is either 29 or 30 days, depending on the moon sighting. This makes the Islamic year about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year of 365 days.
Why do Islamic dates shift every year on the Gregorian calendar?
The Islamic calendar is purely lunar and does not add leap months to realign with the solar year. Because a lunar year is about 11 days shorter than a solar year, Islamic months move roughly 11 days earlier each Gregorian year. This completes a full cycle through all seasons in approximately 33 years.
What is the difference between 1447 AH and 1448 AH?
1447 AH ran from approximately 7 July 2025 to 15 June 2026. All major 1447 AH events including Ramadan, Eid ul Fitr, Hajj and Eid ul Adha have passed. We are now in 1448 AH, which began on 16 June 2026 and will end approximately in June 2027.