Islamic Calendar 2023 is a special blog by AstroSage. Here, you will get detailed information about Muslim Holidays and Festivals to come in 2023. Let’s move ahead and see what the Islamic Calendar 2023 has special for the readers out there.
Before we start with the important dates for Islamic festivals as per the Islamic Calendar 2023, it is important to know that 24.9% of the world’s total population have followers of Islam, which makes it the world’s 2nd largest religion. There are two groups of Muslims-Shia and Sunni. 90% of the total Muslim population is, Sunni whereas the rest 10-15% are Shias.
Hazrat Umar Bin Al Khattab, the 2nd Caliph of Islam introduced the concept of the Islamic Calendar to the Word. In 638 CE, it is believed that he was also one of the dearests of Prophet Muhammad. Therefore, the Islamic Calendar plays a very significant role in the world of Muslims.
To Read Islamic Holidays 2024 Click Here: Islamic Holidays 2024
यहाँ हिंदी में पढ़ें: इस्लामिक कैलेंडर 2023
There are many names given to Islamic Calendar 2023 like The Hijri Calendar, Arabic Calendar, Lunar Hijri Calendar, and Muslim Calendar. This calendar is a lunar calendar that comprises 12 lunar months in one year. These 12 Lunar months in an Islamic Calendar are as follows:
1. al-Muḥarram
2. Ṣafar
3. Rabīʿ al-ʾAwwal, Rabīʿ al-ʾŪlā
4. Rabīʿ ath-Thānī, Rabīʿ al-ʾĀkhir
5. Jumādā al-ʾAwwal, Jumadā al-ʾŪlā
6. Jumādā ath-Thāniyah, Jumādā al-ʾĀkhirah
7. Rajab
8. Shaʿbān
9. Ramaḍān
10. Shawwāl
11. Zū al-Qaʿdah
12. Zū al-Ḥijjah
With the help of Islamic Calendar 2023, you get the exact dates of Muslim Holidays that are coming in the year 2023. Not only this, but you can also get the dates for important events such as the annual fasting period and the correct Hajj timings. Let's understand which events, holidays, and festivals have made it to the list of Islamic Calendar 2023.
Event | Hijri Date | Day | Gregorian Date |
Start of Jumada al-Akhirah | 13 Jumada al-Akhirah 1444 AH | Friday | 06 January 2023 |
Start of Rajab (Sacred month) | 1 Rajab 1444 AH | Monday | 23 January 2023 |
Isra' Mi'raj | 27 Rajab 1444 AH | Saturday | 18 February 2023 |
Start of Sha'ban | 1 Sha'ban 1444 AH | Tuesday | 21 February 2023 |
Nisfu Sha'ban | 15 Sha'ban 1444 AH | Tuesday | 07 March 2023 |
Start of Ramadan | 1 Ramadan 1444 AH | Thursday | 23 March 2023 |
Start of Fasting Ramadan | 1 Ramadan 1444 AH | Thursday | 23 March 2023 |
Nuzul-al Qur'an | 17 Ramadan 1444 AH | Saturday | 08 April 2023 |
Laylat al-Qadr | 27 Ramadan 1444 AH | Tuesday | 18 April 2023 |
Start of Shawwal | 1 Shawwal 1444 AH | Friday | 21 April 2023 |
Eid ul-Fitr | 1 Shawwal 1444 AH | Friday | 21 April 2023 |
Start of Dhul-Qa'dah (Sacred month) | 1 Dhul-Qa'dah 1444 AH | Sunday | 21 May 2023 |
Start of Dhul-Hijjah (Sacred month) | 1 Dhul-Hijjah 1444 AH | Monday | 19 June 2023 |
Wuquf in 'Arafa (Hajj) | 9 Dhul-Hijjah 1444 AH | Tuesday | 27 June 2023 |
Eid ul-Adha | 10 Dhul-Hijjah 1444 AH | Wednesday | 28 June 2023 |
Days of Tashriq | 11, 12, 13 Dhul-Hijjah 1444 AH | Thursday | 29 June 2023 |
Start of Muharram (Sacred month) | 1 Muharram 1445 AH | Wednesday | 19 July 2023 |
Islamic New Year | 1 Muharram 1445 AH | Wednesday | 19 July 2023 |
Fasting 'Ashura | 10 Muharram 1445 AH | Friday | 28 July 2023 |
Start of Safar | 1 Safar 1445 AH | Friday | 18 August 2023 |
Start of Rabi' al-Awwal | 1 Rabi' al-Awwal 1445 AH | Sunday | 17 September 2023 |
Mawlid (Birth) of the Prophet | 12 Rabi' al-Awwal 1445 AH | Thursday | 28 September 2023 |
Start of Rabi' ath-Thani | 1 Rabi' ath-Thani 1445 AH | Monday | 16 October 2023 |
Start of Jumada al-Ula | 1 Jumada al-Ula 1445 AH | Wednesday | 15 November 2023 |
Start of Jumada al-Akhirah | 1 Jumada al-Akhirah 1445 AH | Thursday | 14 December 2023 |
Some of you might not know that the Islamic Calendar 2023 is shorter than the western solar calendar by 10-11 days. The Islamic calendar is based on the lunar calendar which is 354-355 days annually. The foundation of the lunar month is the time taken by the moon to complete one circle in the orbit around the earth, the time duration of this is 29 days. There are many ways in which Muslims can get the Islamic calendar (Lunar).
Unlike the Solar year, there are many dates in the Islamic calendar that are not definite every year, such as Hajj and Ramadan.
These dates are not fixed due to many things such as climate, season, and natural factors that keep on changing every year. So, if people want to worship with all the right rituals, in different time frames then the Islamic calendar helps them. All the muslin friends might know that the moon indicates the beginning of a new lunar month, and it becomes easy for the devotees to look at the moon and calculate the beginning of a new month. Most ancient civilizations like Jews, Greeks, Hindus, and Chinese used this system to calculate the month.
The days in the Islamic calendar 2023 begin at the sunset. On Friday, all the Muslims gather in the mosques and offer namaz, this day is known as “Gathering day. According to the Lunar calendar, this day is considered to be the start of the day. This is the reason why many Muslim nations such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt observe fast on Fridays and Saturdays or Thursdays and Fridays as their weekends. Here are some important Islamic days along with their details:
No. | Name | Meaning | Solar Day starting at 12:00 am |
1 | al-ʾAḥad | the One | Sunday |
2 | al-Ithnayn | the Second | Monday |
3 | ath-Thulāthāʾ | the Third | Tuesday |
4 | al-ʾArbiʿāʾ | the Fourth | Wednesday |
5 | al-Khamīs | The Fifth | Thursday |
6 | al-Jumʿah | The Sixth | Friday |
7 | al-Jumʿah | the Seventh | Saturday |
Here is a brief description of Muslim Holidays 2023
Al-Hijra/ Muharram
As per the Islamic Calendar 2023, this day begins at the sunset of the previous day and the observance of this day will begin from the sunset of 19 July 2023
Mawlid al-Nabi
Mawlid al-Nabi comes on the same day according to the Islamic Calendar 2023. However, the date based on the Gregorian calendar changes every year. It is because the Islamic calendar is lunar, while the Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar.
Ramadan
The month of Ramadan is observed by Muslims in the 9th month of the Islamic calendar 2023. Out of the 5 pillars of Islam, observing fast during Ramadan is one of the most crucial pillars.
Eid al-Fitr
This celebration is also known as the festival of breaking the fast, this is a prominent religious holiday celebrated by the Muslim community. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the month of Ramadan according to the Islamic Calendar 2023.
Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha means “Feast of the Sacrifice”. It is one of the most significant Islamic holidays, the other being Eid- al-Fitr. According to the Islamic Calendar 2023, this day is observed on Dhu al-Hijjah’s 10th day, and its celebration lasts for 4 days.
Ashura
Ashura is the 10th day of Muharram and marks the zenith of the remembrance of Muharram. In many countries including India, Ashura is observed as a national holiday.
Laylat al-Qadr
Laylat al-Qadr is known to be the Night of Power. As per the Islamic Calendar 2023, this day is widely observed by the Muslims as the night when Quran was sent down from heaven and when Prophet Muhammad was introduced to the first verses of the Quran.